Super Rugby: NSW Waratahs must defy history and Lions ‘brotherhood’ for grand final spot

THE one thing the Waratahs have never done in Super Rugby history must be achieved this week against the Lions if NSW are to play in the grand final.

The Waratahs face a huge challenge in Malcolm Marx and the Lions. Picture: Getty Images

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THEY’VE never won a finals match away from home, and the Waratahs will face a Lions “brotherhood” determined to erase the heartache of two grand final defeats in succession.

That is the warning of Lions hooker Malcolm Marx, one of the best players in the world who is set to break David Pocock’s 2015 record of most breakdown turnovers won in a season.

Marx will lead the Lions in the semi-final as they aim to make a third successive decider after losing to the Hurricanes in 2016 and the Crusaders last year.

“I think we’re a bit more experienced now that we’ve had two finals [2016 and 2017] under our belt,” Marx said.

The Waratahs face a huge challenge in Malcolm Marx and the Lions. Picture: Getty Images

“I definitely believe we’re as strong as we were a year ago.

“We have lost a couple of guys, but on the whole, I don’t think there’s much of a difference at all.

“I can only describe the environment here in one word: brotherhood. It’s hard to actually explain unless you’ve experienced it yourself.

“Everyone cares about each other, it’s not about the individual, but rather how we can help each other to perform as well as possible as a group.”

The Tahs have played five finals matches abroad in their history and lost them all, making their mission in Johannesburg all the more daunting.

The Lions couldn’t hold out the Crusaders in last year’s final. Picture: Getty Images

They’ve lost two grand finals in Christchurch (2005 and 2008), a semi-final in Wellington (2006), another semi in Cape Town (2010) and a quarter-final in Auckland (2011).

It highlights just how difficult it is to win knockout matches abroad, and the Lions have won five of six playoff matches at Ellis Park.

Marx has an incredible 23 turnovers this season. Pocock holds the all-time record with 24, three years ago.

“I just see it as another part of my job to hopefully benefit the team and put them in a better position,” Marx said.

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Originally published as Super Rugby: NSW Waratahs must defy history and Lions ‘brotherhood’ for grand final spot