I’d never say never with Lions: Gatland
Liam Williams of the Lions is tackled by Beauden Barrett (right) and Malakai Fekitoa in the drawn Test. Inset: the captains hold aloft the trophy WARREN GATLAND will “never say never” to leading the British and Irish Lions again in future.
The Lions should tour South Africa in 2021, by which time Gatland could so easily be on the coaching staff of his native New Zealand.
The 53-year-old has guided the Lions to only their second series in New Zealand without defeat, after the three-Test battle ended one win apiece following Saturday’s 15-15 draw in Auckland.
Gatland is on New Zealand’s shortlist of candidates to replace head coach Steve Hansen following the 2019 World Cup, when his contract as Wales boss will have expired.
The former Ireland and Wasps coach spearheaded the Lions’ 2013 series win in Australia, and admitted there still remains some temptation for another crack of the touring whip.
When asked if he would consider taking the Lions helm again in 2021, Gatland replied: “There’s a lot of water to pass under the bridge before that.
“Eddie (England coach Eddie Jones) has put his name forward hasn’t he?
“My focus is on Wales, for the autumn internationals and then looking towards the 2019 World Cup. I’m definitely finishing up there, unless they decide to get rid of me sooner!
“So after that I might just go to the beach and put my feet up for a while.
“But you never say never. If there’s a chat and opportunity to think about 2021, to do maybe the three as a head coach, to win two and draw one wouldn’t be a bad achievement.”
The Lions’ place in rugby’s revised global calendar remains up for negotiation, with Gatland always insistent the tourists need more preparation time.
Gatland’s men jetted out to New Zealand just two days after the Premiership and PRO12 finals, and then faced the Provincial Barbarians three days after touching down.
World Rugby and the club bodies want the Lions to cut future tours to eight matches, but the tourists themselves are intent on retaining their 10-match schedules.
Gatland insisted just one set of midweek matches for Premiership and PRO12 clubs might be enough to create the extra time the Lions need in a domestic game shift that would only be required once every four years.
“I think once the global calendar is put in place then you need to look at where the Lions can fit in,” said Gatland.
“This tour is unique and afterwards hopefully people can see the success of the tour, of the fans, the atmosphere, how brilliant it’s been.
“I think if you were South African you would be pretty excited about the Lions coming in four years’ time.
“There might need to be a little jiggling with the clubs in the UK and Ireland and to have one set of midweek matches. All we’re asking for is them to do that once every four years.”
When asked if Argentina should be added to the Lions’ touring roster, Gatland replied: “Why not?
“But are you saying New Zealand would agree to have the Lions tour here every 16 years?” MARO ITOJE has admitted England will tap into the British and Irish Lions’ New Zealand experience in their bid for World Cup glory in 2019.
Saracens and England lock Itoje arrived in New Zealand as the youngest Lion off the back of a second stellar season - and will leave as a cult hero and an even better player.
The Lions fans adopted Saracens’ ‘Itoje’ chant to the tune of the White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army as their personal tour anthem.
Itoje himself excelled on the field, starring again in Saturday’s 15-15 draw in Auckland which left the All Blacks series tied at one win apiece.
Head coach Eddie Jones has made no secret of his desire to turn England into the world’s best team, and Itoje admitted the back-to-back Six Nations winners can now capitalise on the exploits of Warren Gatland’s 2017 Lions squad.
Asked if England can take heart from the Lions’ successes in their bid to rule the world, Itoje replied: “Absolutely. Eddie (Jones) is a smart guy.
“He’s planning for us to be successful in the coming years so we’ll take our experiences from this tour and when we go back to our various countries and the England camp, if selected, we’ll use our knowledge to our advantage.”
Itoje admitted he has fully caught the Lions bug in New Zealand, insisting he will fight to head off on as many future tours as possible.
“As long as I’m playing rugby and I’m fit and healthy, I’d love to go on as many tours as possible,” said the 22-year-old.
“It’s been an unbelievably pleasant experience and I’ve learned a lot, I’ve grown a lot.
“I’ve had a greater understanding of what the All Blacks are like and what it takes to beat them than I did previously so I’ve benefited from this tour.”
The Lions tiptoed to the draw courtesy of a late reprieve where referee Romain Poite awarded New Zealand a scrum and not a penalty when Ken Owens was caught offside after a ricochet off Liam Williams.
Opposing captains Kieran Read and Sam Warburton lifted the series trophy together in a bizarre ceremony, with both sets of players together.