Gatland claims Hansen’s jibe shows how worried he is
WARREN GATLAND has accused All Blacks coach Steve Hansen of stirring rumours about a split in the Lions camp because he is ‘worried’ about losing.
Hansen has made sniping comments throughout the tour, including questioning the Lions’ style of play and claiming rival coach Gatland has waited too long to call up reinforcements.
A clear picture is emerging of the Lions’ starting Test XV after their 32-10 victory over the Maori All Blacks, but Gatland insisted there is no divide in the camp and said they will go to Eden Park for Saturday’s first Test with a siege mentality after being ‘written off’.
‘Steve Hansen is normally pretty calm and he has been doing a lot of press conferences,’ said Gatland. ‘I can only take that as a sign of respect in that he is a little bit worried. It’s unlike Steve and maybe he is worried by potentially how good this team can be. We know we have got a big step up to play the All Blacks but this could be a great series with fantastic rugby.
‘The off-field stuff puts a bit of a dampener on it but that’s professional sport. You go: “Woah, he is a bit more worried than he normally is”. He is saying things he doesn’t know. That’s normally a sign of a man that is a bit worried.
‘There is no way we are divided into two. We’ve been written off — people saying there’s a split — and it has brought us closer together as a group. The boys are singing in the changing rooms. We’re very, very close. If Steve Hansen knows what’s going on from outside then he’s a much better man than I am.’
Hansen was quick to point out that Owen Farrell would be a ‘massive loss’ if he does not recover for the first Test. The England fly-half has a thigh injury but the Lions are confident he will recover.
‘We are hopeful that Owen will be okay,’ said Gatland, who will turn to Johnny Sexton if cover is required. ‘It was precautionary leaving him out. At a pinch, he probably could have played.’