Hurricanes British Lions

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Warren Gatland has insisted he “couldn’t give a toss” about the New Zealand’s daily paper mocking him up as a cartoon clown.

The British and Irish Lions head coach laughed off the paper publishing a second clown caricature of him in six months.

Gatland admitted he was nonplussed by All Blacks coach Steve Hansen calling a radio station to object to the Lions chief 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 in Wellington yesterday – their final tour midweek fixture – 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 just 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. 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