Gatland says tour squad has earned respect

Warren Gatland would like to think the British and Irish Lions can leave New Zealand next week with respect and believes there is “another level” in them for tomorrow’s Test series decider.

Victory for Gatland’s Lions against the world champion All Blacks would give the tourists a first Test series triumph over New Zealand since 1971. Either way, the tengame tour is set for a shuddering conclusion at Eden Park – a ground where the All Blacks are unbeaten for 23 years.

Exactly what it means to the Lions was highlighted by some particularly intense training yesterday, with a few verbals happening during the session.

The Lions have taken more than their fair share of media criticism since arriving in New Zealand more than five weeks ago, and Gatland revealed that even the All Blacks’ 2011 World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry had been left embarrassed by some of it.

“I was talking to Jan Gethin and [Welsh Rugby Union president] Dennis Gethin [on Wednesday] night, and they happened to be on a plane coming [to Auckland] with Graham Henry, who they knew from Wales,” head coach Gatland said.

“Graham said to them he has been embarrassed about some of the media coverage in New Zealand.

“But that has been the way, and is it the future of professional sport? I’m not too sure. Things are changing all the time on social media and all that stuff. But from a personal point of view, the reaction from the public here has been awesome.

“I think we’ve played some good rugby.

“People expected us to come here and kick the leather off it, drive every single lineout, to try and scrummage people to death. We haven’t done that. We’ve played a good brand, and people have been surprised by that, almost reluctant to give us credit for that.

“Hopefully, we leave on Saturday having earned the respect of the New Zealand public and secured the future of the Lions.”