MAORI ALL BLACKS 10 LIONS 32 GAT’S BIG REVENGE Warren sticks the boot into Kiwi guru Hansen
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WARREN GATLAND has accused All Blacks boss Steve Hansen of running scared after a Lions win that sent alarmss bells ringing for New Zealand. aland.
Gatland, sick to the backack teeth of Hansen’s mockery, blasted back as his team thrashed hrashed opponents his oppositee number had claimed would seriouslyeriously trouble them.
He then turned onn Eddie Jones, Sir Ian McGeechan han and the other critics of his highly controversial decision too call B-listers into his squad d– – and assured them: “I know what I’m doing.”
The Lions’ most impressive display on tour had come at a perfect time for their under-fire nder-fire coach and he wasted no time cashing in on it.
He had kept quiet et while Hansen made a fool off him by revealing Lions player call-ups, predicting a split in the tourists’ camp and suggesting his fellow New Zealander had nothingothing up his sleeve but his arm. But not yesterday,td nott afterft th the Li Lions buried a Maori side Hansen had predicted would throw the kitchen sink at them, seven days out from the start of the series.
Gatland (right) fumed: “We’ve been written off but far from it splitting us as Steve Hansen has said, it has
brought us closer together as a group. “There is no way we are divided andd I’ I’ve b been surprisedid by Steve, who is normally pretty calm.
“Coming out with those comments about us is normally a sign of a man that is a little bit worried.
“We know we have got a big s step up to play the All BlacksBlack but maybe Steve is worriedworri by potentially how goodgoo The this Lionsteam can rompedbe.” to vi victory on the back of a p perfect goal- kicking p performance from Leigh Halfpe Halfpenny (left), who landed a magn magnificent s even- goal maxim maximum.
Two third-quarter tries killed the co contest and means the Saturd Saturday team has now won the two tou toughest non-Tests, against the CrusadersC and Maori, withou without conceding a single second second-half point.
Still, it failed to silence the criticism over Gatland calling up six play players based on them being in the v vicinity rather than good enough enough.
Form Former Lions have branded the mo move a disgrace, arguing that it chc heapens t heir own achiev achievement. Jones and ‘Lion SCOTLAND coach Gregor Townsend was a happy and proud man after watching his players stun Australia in Sydney.
British and Irish Lions call-up Finn Russell signed off from Scotland duties with 11 points from a try and three conversions, while Duncan Taylor and Hamish Watson also touched down. Israel Folau crossed ki king’’ MG McGeechanh agreed that merit s hould a l ways trump geography. McGeechan said: “If this was always part of his planning, then he could have been speaking to Eddie Jones for the England players to be released last week.” Gatland responded: “Look, I dT understand the concerns. “But these guys will be with us for a week and they are for bench cover and they understand that’s the way it is.
Heroes
“My job is to win a Test series and I will do whatever it takes to do that.”
Gatland now turns his attention to picking his Test team, the vast majority of which will be drawn from yesterday’s heroes.
Owen Farrell is the big question mark but Gatland said: “We are hopeful Owen will be OK. It was precautionary leaving them out.
“At a pinch he probably could have played tonight but it was important we didn’t take the risk and put him out there.” for a brace of first-half tries for the Aussies, who had found themelves 10-0 down.
Bernard Foley’s conversion cut Scotland’s advantage to 17-12 at the break.
Will Genia scored Australia’s third try midway through the second half – but the visitors held on to take a notable scalp.
It was Scotland’s second successive victory over the Wallabies Down Under, following a victory in Newcastle in 2012. Townsend said: “The last 15 minutes are fresh in the mind and they required huge effort because the Wallabies had a lot of possession.
“You could see their line break when we were only five points up in our 22 with the crowd behind them.
“The effort to get back on the ball, and Alex Dunbar managing to get the turnover, it was fantastic.
“If you have to defend 10 to 15 minutes against a team as brilliant in