Warren Gatland taking a gamble on another Lions series

Warren Gatland knows his reputation is on the line, but is armed with the conviction the All Blacks can be toppled.

“Coaching the Lions isn’t the safest environment to be in as a coach because if you lost the series things didn’t look pretty afterwards,” Gatland said. “I knew how tough it was going to be and you’ve got to be successful because if you’re not then a lot of people turn on you. That’s the nature of the beast.

“I experienced part of that in 2013, but it makes you tougher, it makes you strong. I’m one of those people who doesn’t dwell on the negatives, I always look at the positives. I know they’re there, but they’re what bring you down. If you talked to coaches in Wales, they would describe me as the eternal optimist. That’s the way you’ve got to be.