Gatland laughs off clown headlines but his Lions are tamed in Wellington war
bits and pieces. So we decided we would try to get through the game with as many of the starting XV as we could.”
Asked whether he had been swayed by public opinion he said: “Possibly. So much was made of it. So we decided we would use them only as injury or ‘head injury assessment’ replacements.”
It is an astonishing confession given the tour is on a knife edge following last Saturday’s heavy Test defeat and failure to win yesterday adds pressure.
Social media went into meltdown with fans venting their frustration. Former Lion Martin Bayfield branded the decision “insane” while former Saracens star Jacques Burger tweeted: “It’s not smart. There has to be trust throughout the whole squad.”
Robbie Henshaw suffered a shoulder problem in the draw that Gatland admitted could well end his tour while the Lions boss felt Courtney Lawes and Iain Henderson – in spite of the latter’s sin-binning for a dangerous cleanout on Jordie Barrett– produced strong performances. He conceded the pair have posted strong arguments for selection for Saturday’s second Test against the All Blacks, also in Wellington, adding: “We’ll meet tomorrow and look at selecting the side before we tell the players on Thursday.” Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd said: “It was a definite yellow card for Henderson but Jordie Barrett wasn’t hurt.” HURRICANES – Tries: Gibbons, Laumape, Goosen, Fifita. Cons: Barrett 4. Pen: Barrett. LIONS – Tries: Seymour 2, North. Cons: Biggar 2. Pens: Biggar 4. LAURA MUIR is ready to return faster than ever from a foot injury.
The double European indoor champion, 24, will sit out this weekend’s World Championship trials in Birmingham but it has been revealed she will return with a rare outing over 800 metres at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne in eight days time.
Coach Andy Young confirmed Muir is flying again after resuming training at Glasgow’s Emirates Arena and is still intent on pursuing a 1500-5000 metres double in London despite claims from UK Athletics performance supremo Neil Black she had only a “one per cent chance”of being ready.