The Super Rugby leading Lions have added an interesting twist to the final round of the regular season.
Lions coach Johan Ackermann has decided to rest 15 players for their clash with the Jaguares in Buenos Aires ahead of the playoffs games next weekend.
The Lions have already wrapped up top spot in their African Conference, but a loss at the weekend could see a New Zealand team finish top of the overall standings and claim home advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders and Hurricanes are all within striking distance if the Lions were to lose on the weekend.
The Lions can finish no lower than second in the Super Rugby standings when the conferences come into consideration, leaving the Chiefs or Crusaders as the most likely to dethrone the African side.
If the Lions lose, but pick up a bonus point, it would likely rule out the Highlanders and Hurricanes due to their points differential.
Ackermann's selection gives the impression he cares more about the fitness of his best players rather than the possibility of slipping up to the Jaguares.
"This is a great opportunity for our whole group to experience and express themselves at Super Rugby level and to make sure everybody is prepared at the highest level," said Ackermann.
"The 15 players that stay behind will have time to work hard physically for the next round of important Super Rugby matches that lie ahead.
"It also gives us the chance to do some medical rehabilitation with some of them. With the long travelling hours to Argentina one loses a lot of time that could have been spent working with these players."
The Lions and Jaguares will be the last match of the Super Rugby round on Sunday morning (NZT).
The Jaguares have won just three of their 14 games in their debut Super season, and were beaten 52-24 when the two teams met earlier in the year.
Newshub.