The Lions are used to reaching the Super Rugby showpiece match but a 37-17 defeat to the Hurricanes has endangered their play-off hopes
Swys de Bruin's side were in the game at half-time, when 10-10 was just reward for a promising performance that saw wing Aphiwe Dyantyi cross for their try, but it was a different story after the interval.
The Hurricanes bought All Blacks' Ardie Savea and Dane Coles off the bench and the pair were instrumental in steering the Hurricanes to an emphatic 20 point victory.
Coles scored a brace while Savea forced 4 turnovers and produced this stellar try assist for Lam.
Ross Gelenhuys, who he made his Super Rugby debut for back in 2008, combined brilliantly with Ben Lam with a nice wrap around before Lam sent it out to Savea.
Savea then steamrolls Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies before he just beats Cyle Brink, manages to stay in play, and produces a slick offload back to Lam who scores.
The win for the Hurricanes means they are now guaranteed to be seeded and bolstered by home advantage for their quarter-final in the play-offs.