GATLAND EXPECTS HIS MEN TO MAKE A NAME

WARREN GATLAND wants his players to earn New Zealand’s respect after a poll revealed that threequarters of Kiwis cannot name a single Lion. Gatland (left), himself a New Zealander, was given the findings on the eve of his team’s opening match against the Provincial Barbarians. Told that 78 per cent were unable to identify any of his 41-man squad, the Lions boss said: “Most people in New Zealand still think rugby in the Northern Hemisphere is played in six inches of mud and pouring down with rain.

“I’m not sure a lot of them watch the Pro12, the Aviva Premiership or even the Six Nations. That’s our task to come to New Zealand and earn some respect. If we play some good rugby and win the series, I won’t care.”

Gatland challenged his men to “make people stand up and take notice”, beginning tomorrow in Whangarei, 100 miles north of Auckland.

He warned: “We’ve got players who aren’t known here who have got X factor – pace, footwork and the ability to cause some surprises.”