Warren Gatland: Media coverage doesn’t reflect reality

The Lions have outscored the All Blacks by four tries to three in two pulsating Test matches and as the series decider with the world champions looms, head coach Warren Gatland believes his players may just be earning the respect of New Zealand’s famously one-eyed rugby population.

The days since last Saturday in Wellington, when the Lions inflicted a first home Test defeat on New Zealand since South Africa in 2009, have put Kiwi supporters in an angsty mood, prompting their head coach Steve Hansen to declare yesterday: “You would think the All Blacks had never lost a game and the sky has fallen in!”

Former team captain Sean Fitzpatrick told Sky Sports he had been informed of tensions in Hansen’s camp and fists flying in training this week, something the players and head coach have denied. But it is evident the Lions are now viewed in a better light than the initial dismissal of them as no-hopers heading for a Test whitewash like their predecessors in 2005.