Lions and Crusaders final is bigger than an All Blacks game - Straeuli

“It's bigger than an All Blacks game.”

Those are the words of Lions chief executive Rudolf Straeuli about Sunday's Super Rugby final between the Lions and the Crusaders at Ellis Park.

Straeuli confirmed that the 61, 500 sellout crowd is a Super Rugby record for the ground surpassing the 50, 000 supporters who attended last season's semifinal against the Highlanders.

Saturday's crowd will by extension also be a South African record for a Super Rugby match.

Meanwhile Scott Robertson's men have 10 All Blacks in their forwards and one of the best set pieces in the competition.

They also possess far greater discipline, game sense, and an ability to play a wide game or engage in the arm wrestles that provided their success in their quarterfinal win over the Highlanders and semifinal victory over the Chiefs.

A key for Robertson's side will be controlling the pace of the game at Ellis Park, which is 1,724m above sea level.

The Lions will host the Crusaders at 2am Sunday.