The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen hits out at ‘desperate’ Lions counterpart
Lions squad member quite happy to leave calls to match officials
Robbie Henshaw insists New Zealand do not overstep rugby’s physical boundaries as the war of words around Conor Murray’s Test match treatment rages on.
All Blacks boss Steve Hansen called a radio station to brand British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland “desperate” for demanding referees hand scrum-half Murray greater protection when he is kicking.
Gatland had hit out at the All Blacks targeting Murray’s standing leg when box-kicking in the Lions’ 30-15 first Test defeat, leaving Hansen so incensed he called into a radio show to respond.
Henshaw was knocked unconscious by Sam Cane’s head-high shoulder charge in Ireland’s 21-9 loss to New Zealand in Dublin in November but still remains convinced the All Blacks toe the disciplinary line.
“We know how physical they are as a team, and it’s Test rugby,” said Ireland centre Henshaw.
“For us also physicality is one of the fundamental components in rugby. Everyone uses it in abundance.
“I don’t think New Zealand take it too far, sometimes in the moment people may get their entry wrong, stick out an arm and hit someone high.
“It’s not intentional and people make mistakes. But obviously it’s down to the officials what happens on the pitch, and needs to be taken care of.”
Hansen called New Zealand’s Radio Sport to criticise Gatland for calling on the Test series officials to clamp down on the All Blacks’ targeting of Murray.
He said: “It’s really disappointing to hear it, because what he’s implying is that we’re going out there to intentionally injure somebody and that’s not the case. I guess he might be a bit desperate.”
Asked if the Lions can add extra protection when half-back Murray lines up a box kick, Henshaw said: “Not necessarily, because if you came in to block you’d give a penalty away. “All you can do is stand your ground. “If the guy’s clearly going for a block down and going for the ball, and he follows through and hits the player that’s not his fault. But if he’s nowhere near the ball and he’s hit our guy off the ball, it needs to be looked at.”
Gatland remains determined to see referees police similar attempts.
“There were a couple of times from Conor Murray where there was a charge-down where someone dived at his legs,” Gatland has said. “And I thought that was a little bit dangerous.
“It’s just making sure he’s being looked after and protected and not harassed after he’s box-kicked.”
Henshaw will start at inside centre today against the Hurricane sin Wellington, where he will bid to force his way into the plans for Saturday’s second Test.
The 24-year-old insisted the Lions have taken solace from Elliot Daly and Liam Williams producing fine performances in the 34-6 Chiefs win to catapult themselves into the Test team.
Henshaw said: “People were shocked to see them play four days later but that’s the reality of a Lions tour.
“If you stand out and play well you will be looked at and maybe chosen.”