Meanwhile, how did the first match go for Gatland?

ENGLAND 2008. Scotland 2010. France 2019 – twice.

Warren Gatland had his fair share of remarkable comebacks during his time as Wales coach and that trend has shown no sign of going away in his new job.

Having traded Wales for the coaching job at Super Rugby outfit Chiefs back in his homeland of New Zealand, he appeared destined for defeat in yesterday’s Super Rugby curtain-raiser.

His new side were in all sorts of trouble as they trailed the Auckland Blues 19-5 at half-time thanks to two tries from All Blacks winger Reiko Ioane.

However, the Chiefs stormed back in the second-half thanks to the introduction of fly-half Aaron Cruden to run out 37-29 winners in Auckland.

Tries from Pita Gus Sowakula, Aidan Ross, Solomon Alaimalo and a brace from Samisoni Taukeiaho ensured Gatland’s return to New Zealand got off to the perfect start and handed Gatland another remarkable comeback.

New Zealand website Stuff described it as “an epic comeback”, hailing Gatland’s first match as “storybook stuff”, adding: “It was Gatland’s first victory as a head coach on Eden Park – and it was quite simply as good as it gets.”

The 56-year-old had already made headlines this week after venting his frustrations about New Zealand’s player resting policy.

With All Blacks not allowed to play more than 180 minutes across the first three Super Rugby matches, Gatland had been forced to name the likes of Anton Lienert-Brown, Atu Moli, Angus Ta’avao and Brad Weber on the bench.

Chiefs face another tough task next week when they entertain Crusaders in Waikato.