CLOWN PRINCE
Gatland mocks Kiwis as super Lions snatch draw
WARREN GATLAND played the clown after having the last laugh on his Kiwi critics.
Portrayed as a clueless ‘clown’ by fellow New Zealanders, Gatland put on a red nose to celebrate his underdog Lions drawing the series with the double World champions.
He said: “It was my idea. I had it last week, but didn’t think that was the right time to wear it.”
The 15-15 thriller at Eden Park was described by All Blacks boss Steve Hansen as “feeling a bit like kissing your sister”. But Gatland
countered: “For us, it feels like some achievement, considering we were totally written off with the predictions for a three-nil whitewash.
“What was disappointing for me was how much negativity was out there. I think it turned a lot of Kiwis off supporting the All Blacks.”
A long-range penalty by ice-cool Owen Farrell, three minutes from time, meant the series finished tied at 1-1.
It led to calls for the Barbarians – scheduled to play the All Blacks at Twickenham in November – to step aside and let the two sides play a tie-breaker.
“That would be good, wouldn’t it,” said Gatland. “But you’ll have to ask Premiership Rugby if they’d release their players.”
All Blacks star Sam Whitelock said: “That’s the first I’ve heard of it, but it would be interesting to see if we could have another go at it.
“I know that we and the Lions boys have that same weird feeling that comes with a drawn series.”
Gatland, 53, was expected to step down after this series, particularly as he now boasts unbeaten campaigns against Australia (2013 series win) and New Zealand.
But last night he said: “If there’s a chat and an opportunity to think about South Africa in 2021, never say never.
“To do the three as a head coach, to win two and draw one, that wouldn’t be a bad achievement.”
Welsh centre Jonathan Davies said he was “humbled and chuffed to bits” to be voted Lion of the series by his team-mates.