As a kid Gatland thought his NZ heroes were unbeatable.. then he saw the 1971 Lions and a love affair began

WARREN GATLAND was a typical Kiwi kid, worshipping the very ground the All Blacks walked on.

“Growing up, I thought rugby was invented in New Zealand,” he said.

“I didn’t think the All Blacks could ever be beaten.” Then, one day, the British and Irish Lions came to town (below). The year was 1971 – and it didn’t end well for Gatland’s “Invincibles”.

“That had a big impact on me,” he said, of a series won 3-1 by the Lions and still their only success in New Zealand. “It was the first time I realised the game was played in other parts of the world.”

So began his love affair with the Lions, one which has brought him back to his homeland, 46 years on, to try to give the team of his boyhood dreams a second bloody nose.

Such a hold do the Lions have on him that he has taken on a challenge which history tells him is doomed to failure.

And it has brought him slurs from the rival camp.

First, counterpart Steve Hansen mockingly questioning whether he has anything up his sleeve other than his arm.

Then, Hansen coming back for more yesterday when implying that the 53-year-old is trying to bully tomorrow’s match officials.

Gatland has held firm, just as he did when hit by what he described as a “vitriolic” backlash after daring to drop Brian O’Driscoll for the sole reason that he felt it would improve the 2013 Lions’ chances.

He has kept faith with a coaching pedigree which won him Premierships and European Cups at Wasps, Six Nations titles and Grand Slams with Wales – and that Lions series in Australia last time. But this is his biggest challenge. Succeed and it would bring him and the Lions the respect of a new generation of Kiwis – maybe even the New Zealand job.

Gatland’s team for tomorrow’s opener has been picked on form – but also gut instinct. It is captained by Peter O’Mahony, who, three months ago, could not even get in the Ireland team.

Jamie George, Ben Te’o and Kyle Sinckler make the 23, despite the grand total of one England start between them.

Gatland even axed Lions icons George North and Leigh Halfpenny, four days out, sensing Liam Williams and Elliot Daly could do greater damage going forwards. “Our set-piece is better and we’ve improved defensively,” said Gatland. “We just need to bring that other element into the game, which is playing with some flair, taking some risks and being courageous and bold.

“It’s going to be a step up from anything we have experienced.

“I am incredibly passionate about the Lions. But it is not about me – it is about the Lions and this group of players.”

NEW ZEALAND XV: Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (capt), Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Ben Smith