Gatland asks refs to keep a lid on Kiwis’ ‘harassment’

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has taken a swipe at the All Blacks following Saturday’s 30-15 defeat in the opening Test in Auckland, accusing the New Zealand players of deliberate and dangerous harassment of Conor Murray’s kicking game.

Gatland believes some of the All Blacks were diving “blindly” at Murray’s standing leg whenever he launched a box kick and has called on the referees to clamp down on the tactics.

“I thought that was a little bit dangerous,” said the coach, pictured.

“It’s just making sure that 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.”

The Lions’ next tour match comes tomorrow morning against Hurricanes in Wellington, ahead of Saturday’s second Test.

All four of the Scots will be involved – Tommy Seymour starts on the right wing, while Greig Laidlaw is at scrum-half and Finn Russell and Allan Dell are on the bench. Ireland’s Rory Best is captain.