Lions have to earn respect on NZ tour

LIONS boss Warren Gatland has told his players to go out and earn the respect of New Zealand after a poll revealed the majority of the population couldn’t name a single player in his 41-man squad.

In a rugby-loving nation, Gatland was told that 78% of the population were unable to identify one of his players on the eve of the tour opener against New Zealand Provincial Barbarians.

But it came as no surprise to the Kiwi and he demanded that his players make sure the country knows who they are by the end of the tour.

“Most people in New Zealand still think rugby in the Northern Hemisphere is played in six inches of mud and pouring down with rain,” he said.

“I’m not sure a lot of them watch the PRO12, the Aviva Premiership or even the Six Nations.

“That’s our task, our job – to come to New Zealand and earn some respect. If we play some good rugby, make an impression and win the series, I won’t care.

“I’m hugely excited about it. I know everyone has written us off and that’s a nice position to be in.”

In 2014, Brodie Retallick famously referred to England, and now Lions, lock Courtney Lawes as ‘Michael’ and that only serves to illustrate the results of the poll.

But Gatland insisted the plan is to shock the entire nation and he feels there are some secret weapons in his armoury that the Kiwis are not too aware of.

“In the past, the All Blacks have tended to concentrate on themselves, they’ve never really worried about us in terms of the way they’ve prepared,” he added,”that’s completely up to them.

“We’ve got some players who aren’t known here who have got X Factor – pace, footwork and the ability in some positions to cause some surprises.

“I honestly feel that. And to match the All Blacks, if you look at them at times, it just comes down to one or two magical moments.

“Our players will have done their homework in terms of exactly who they’re playing against.”

And Wasps flanker James Haskell agreed with his coach. Haskell enjoyed a stint with Super Rugby outfit the Highlanders in 2012, and insisted there is no malice in the natural Kiwi leaning not to keep up to speed with rugby events around the globe.

“When I lived over here I learned the Kiwis just focus on New Zealand, but there’s genuinely nothing in that, that’s just how people here are,” said Haskell.

“We’ve played sides before and I know they couldn’t name players, but that’s not important. If we play well there’s no doubt people will take notice.”

Meanwhile, Alun Wyn Jones has insisted the British and Irish Lions will laugh off all the brickbats over their punishing schedule and Test series chances in New Zealand.

Outside voices have lined up to criticise the Lions’ 10-match touring plan in New Zealand, with All Blacks coach Steve Hansen claiming he would never have accepted the blueprint.

Former Lions coach Sir Graham Henry dubbed the 2017 schedule “suicidal” while England boss Eddie Jones warned Gatland’s men will lose the three-Test series if they mimic Wales’ playing style.

Ahead of today’s first match against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians, Jones was asked if it was time for the criticism to stop, and replied: “We could say yes but people always have their opinion.

“It gives us a lot to laugh about. People will always have their opinions, but I think for the most part people are saying things out of concern.”

Jones insisted the Lions’ biggest responsibility in New Zealand lies not with the potent squad living up to its billing on paper - instead he believes the 2017 squad must continue to safeguard the future of the touring side.

“When I came into the Australia tour in 2013 people were talking about dropping the Lions altogether because we hadn’t won a series in so long,” said Jones. It’s funny that you then win one and people want to preserve it for as long as possible.

“So I think there’s more responsibility to the Lions jersey than the tour itself.

“I think that’s the point of note, the point of difference, for us to carry here.

“With the advent of professionalism there’s always going to be that question on the Lions’ future, because it’s businesses as well as organisations putting money into players, and they need to be represented.

“But I think it’s something that needs to be preserved, it’s what makes rugby special and I’m sure there’s a few southern hemisphere teams that would want it to be sustained as well.”