Lions coach Johan Ackermann is surprised, but happy to accept the support of New Zealand rugby fans in the build‑up to this weekend's big Super Rugby final in Johannesburg.
After bowing to the home side in last Sunday's semifinal at Ellis Park, beaten Hurricanes captain Dane Coles seemingly committed heresy by pledging his team's support to the South Africans, not the Christchurch‑based Crusaders in the title game.
Whether the comments were intended tongue‑in‑cheek was unclear, but they have certainly resonated with many Kiwis, with 30% backing the Lions in an NZ Herald online poll.
The Super Rugby final between the Crusaders and the Lions will kick off at 2am on Sunday.
