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Cape Town - Crusaders flank Matt Todd says the Kiwis are wary of the Lions’ expansive game as the two sides prepare to duel in a Super Rugby match in Johannesburg on Friday.
Last week, the Crusaders beat the Sharks 19-14 in Durban in a game they dominated in every facet.
The Sharks displayed an unwillingness to spread the ball wide and it was only some resolute defence which kept the scoreline close.
But this week the Crusaders know they are in for a different outing against a more enterprising team.
"They (the Lions) try a lot of different stuff," Todd told the Stuff.co.nz website. "Whereas some African teams are, I guess, a bit more prescriptive and play more of the territory game. They (Lions) are prepared to chance their arm from anywhere, quick-tap sort of stuff. We can't relax at all."
Todd also offered this summary of how dangerous it would be to make turnovers at altitude: "They can either kick for points from 55m or kick 60m downfield, and then they are hot on attack."
Friday’s clash is scheduled for 19:00.
Teams:
Lions
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Howard Mnisi, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies/Marnitz Boshoff, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Warwick Tecklenburg, 6 Jaco Kriel, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Andries Ferreira/Lourens Erasmus, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Dylan Smith
Substitutes: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Corne Fourie, 18 Ruan Dreyer, 19 Ruan Ackermann, 20 Cyle Brink, 21 Dillon Smit, 22 Jaco van der Walt, 23 Rohan Janse van Rensburg
Crusaders
15 David Havili, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jimmy Tupou, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Sean Wainui
