Lions loose forward Jaco Kriel doesn’t believe a champion can be declared should Vodacom Super Rugby not be completed.
The Sharks had moved to the top of the overall log, one point ahead of the Brumbies and Crusaders who have both played a game fewer, when the competition was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Talk has been rife in the past few weeks about the future of the competition should play resume.
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Kriel, who was integral to the Lions’ three consecutive Super Rugby final appearances in 2016, 2017 and 2018, told Netwerk24 that while the Sharks, for example, have played excellent rugby this year, he didn’t believe they could be declared champions if the season doesn’t resume.
‘You don’t become a champion that easily. I’d rather no team be crowned champions if no further play is possible.
‘In 2017, the Lions lost only one game in the round-robin fixtures and finished top of the log. And yet, we weren’t crowned Super Rugby champions because we lost in the final. It takes a lot of effort to be able to say you are a champion.’
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
