The Lions have spoken about the Crusaders in almost reverential tones as the South African side announced two changes for the Super Rugby final.
Coach Swys de Bruin is determined to ram home his team's underdog status for the decider in Christchurch on Saturday.
Two days after accusing the competition defending champions of "getting their way" with referees and bending the offside law among other transgressions, the Lions mentor spent a media session on Thursday lauding the quality of the Crusaders.
He said Scott Robertson's team were unbeaten at home over two years for a reason and it was no surprise when they finished 12 points clear in the regular season.
"We'll have to bring our A-game and more," de Bruin said.
"Apart from that we have a huge respect for them and what they stand for and how they play. It will be an honour for us to play against them."
Athletic flanker Cyle Brink replaces Lourens Erasmus in the only change to the Lions forward pack that saw off the NSW Waratahs 44-26 in last week's semi-final.
In a surprise, Courtnall Skosan pushes left winger Aphiwe Dyantyi to the reserves bench.
Dyantyi scored a sublime solo try against the Waratahs and de Bruin showed delight when the Springboks flyer overcame a hamstring strain to make the flight from Johannesburg.
Lions captain Warren Whiteley sang from the same song sheet as his coach when quizzed about comments made last week by Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd.
After watching his team get pummelled 30-12 in the semi-finals, Boyd contended the Crusaders were 20 points better than any side in the competition.
"Along with the All Blacks in world rugby, they have really stood tall," Whiteley said of the hosts.
"They're a team everyone has learned from.
"But what an opportunity for us and that's what you want - in New Zealand, in Christchurch, a place that has rugby running through its veins."
De Bruin confirmed the Lions were trying to combat jet lag by staying up late and sleeping in each day.
It was a method that worked well when they trumped the Waratahs 29-0 in Sydney in April.
LIONS: Andries Coetzee, Ruan Combrinck, Lionel Mapoe, Harold Vorster, Courtnall Skosan, Elton Jantjies, Ross Cronje, Warren Whiteley (capt), Cyle Brink, Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert, Marvin Orie, Ruan Dreyer, Malcolm Marx, Jacques van Rooyen. Res: Corne Fourie, Dylan Smith, Johannes Jonker, Lourens Erasmus, Marnus Schoeman, Dillon Smit, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Howard Mnisi.
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