Gatland reveals Lions moment that helped out Wales

WARREN Gatland has revealed the New Zealand versus Lions moment that changed the way he coached Wales – and led to the 2019 Grand Slam.

The titanic third Test draw is remembered best for French referee Romain Poite’s controversial decision at the end to overturn a penalty awarded against Ken Owens and give a scrum instead.

But Gatland points to an incident after just 13 minutes involving centre Jonathan Davies that gave him a blueprint for his return to his Wales job.

And it would help his team become Six Nations Grand Slam champions and go on to reach the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup.

Speaking to Sky Sports Rugby Retro, Gatland said: “There was a moment in the game, I think when Laumape scored. It was about 13 minutes on the clock...”

“I had the conversation with Jonathan Davies afterwards, and he came up to me and he said ‘I’m really sorry’. I said ‘What do you mean?’

“He said ‘I should’ve got to Laumape, I could see him, but my legs had gone...’

“I looked back and saw it was only 13 minutes on the clock... but the All Blacks were so used to playing that high intensity for three, four, five minutes, and we probably in the northern hemisphere weren’t used to that ballin-play time, and they have the ability to react really quickly.

“I went back and thought about that. That moment really changed the way that I coached Wales in 2018, when we had a great run, and 2019.”

Gatland also recalled the end to the third Test and his meeting with coaching rival Steve Hansen.

“It was a little bit strange, really. I went down to the field, saw Steve Hansen and shook his hand, and he said ‘how do you feel?’ I said ‘I’m not too sure’. He said ‘it’s a bit like kissing your sister, isn’t it?’

“It took a while for things to sink in and then afterwards, on reflection... I’m pretty proud of a drawn series.”

And on THAT controversial decision from Poite in the closing moments of the game, Gatland said: “Ken’s just so relieved he wasn’t penalised in that situation and end up losing a Test series.

“He felt he’d never be able to go home! He’s a great man, he’s a great team man... he’s relieved the finger hasn’t been pointed at him and he was able to get away with that!”