Coach calls for Murray protection from Kiwi rough stuff

Lions coach Warren Gatland will ask the referees to clamp down on what he described as the All Blacks’ dangerous harassment of Conor Murray’s kicking game.

Gatland was left frustrated with what he felt were deliberate tactics from the All Blacks diving at Murray’s standing leg whenever he launched a box kick in Saturday’s 30-15 defeat to New Zealand.

Munster’s players and coaches claimed Glasgow’s players targeted Murray’s standing leg during the Irish province’s 14-12 Champions Cup win at Scotstoun on January 14. France’s Jerome Garces will referee Saturday’s second Lions Test against New Zealand in Wellington, with Gatland saying he will raise the issue in meetings with the officials later this week.

“There were a couple of times from Conor Murray where there was a charge down where someone dived at his legs,” said Gatland.

“That was a little bit dangerous. And after he kicked he was pushed a few times, and pushed to the ground.

“It’s just making sure he’s being looked after and protected and not harassed after he’s box kicked.

“So we’ll probably just get some clarity from the referee later in the week.

“I can’t complain about the referee in terms of the way he controlled the match.”

When it was pointed out to Gatland that Murray had received similar treatment in the past, Gatland replied: “Yes he has and it’s a little bit tough. When you see someone dive at someone’s leg and it’s blind, you feel for the player, and it’s a little bit concerning that they are actually not trying to charge the kick down, because they are nowhere near it.”

Rory Best will captain the Lions in Tuesday’s final midweek match, against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

George Kruis is the only member of Saturday’s first Test squad asked to feature, taking a seat on the bench to cover lock.

That could leave his Test spot under threat, but Gatland pointed out that Alun Wyn Jones fulfilled the role off the bench in last week’s 36-4 win against the Chiefs.

The All Blacks dominated the Lions in the tightfive exchanges in Saturday’s first Test in Auckland, and Gatland also has questions about the lineout maul officiating.

“There’s a few things I want some clarity over in terms of the sacking of the lineouts, just for me to get some understanding about that,” said Gatland.

“But there are lots of things we need to concentrate on for ourselves, and fix.

“And we said all along that we weren’t coming here to bitch and moan about the refereeing and we needed to make sure we played and looked after things ourselves and were in control of our own things.”

Warren Gatland