Lions boss is not fazed by clown cartoon

WARREN Gatland has insisted he “couldn’t give a toss” about the New Zealand Herald mocking him up as a cartoon clown.

The British and Irish Lions head coach laughed off New Zealand’s daily paper publishing a second clown caricature of him in six months.

Gatland admitted he was nonplussed by All Blacks boss Steve Hansen calling a radio station to object to the Lions head coach criticising New Zealand’s “dangerous” targeting of scrumhalf Conor Murray.

The Lions threw away a commanding position in a 31-31 draw with the Hurricanes yesterday – their final midweek fixture in Wellington – then Gatland offered his latest riposte to Hansen and the New Zealand media.

“I haven’t read anything of Steve Hansen’s quotes,” said Gatland, when quizzed on the clown cartoon.

“The only thing I heard was that he had rung up a radio station. I thought that was quite unusual for an international coach.

“But I’m not worried about that, or what any newspaper draws me up as. I hope it was a happy clown!

As a Kiwi, you’d like to think you’d come home and it be more positive from one or two members of the media. That hasn’t happened. But you can’t let that get to you.

“There’s been a significant campaign against me personally. But that’s water off a duck’s back.

“I’ve just got to concentrate on doing my job and not worry about any specific individuals. I couldn’t give a toss if that’s happening.”

Iain Henderson’s late yellow card gifted the Hurricanes a route back into yesterday’s Westpac Stadium clash, with the Lions surrendering a 31-17 lead to end with the draw.

Robbie Henshaw suffered a shoulder problem that Gatland admitted could well end his tour, while the Lions boss felt that Courtney Lawes and Henderson – in spite of that sin-binning – produced strong performances ahead of Saturday’s second Test against the All Blacks, also held in Wellington.

“Iain Henderson carried fantastically well,” said Gatland of a player sin-binned for a dangerous cleanout on Jordie Barrett.

“It was a big moment in the game, the yellow card. It’s a penalty to us which ends up being a penalty reversed and a yellow card, and that’s the game. It’s disappointing because you’re in so much control of it.

“It was a massive swing in the game. Sometimes players are unlucky in terms of that.”