Gatland: Tour structure needs to change

Warren Gatland today declared the British and Irish Lions’ unique place in the rugby landscape must be safeguarded, but stressed that some changes have to be made to the structure of future tours.

A first series victory since 1997 was completed with yesterday’s 41-16 rout of pre-match favourites Australia in the third and final Test of an epic struggle between the rivals.

The future of the Lions would have been questioned had they lost to the Wallabies amid concerns over how long heroic failures in the matches that matter could be tolerated.

Credibility has now been restored, but Gatland wants there to be adjustments made when they tour New Zealand – the toughest destination of all – in 2017.

“The Lions are something that we need to preserve for the modern game. It’s special and it has been a privilege for me to experience it,” he said.

“Australia was tougher than it was in South Africa four years ago because the game’s becoming more and more physical.

“It’s tough to put two games together in a week, so maybe you need a break in between games to rejuvenate yourself.

“It’s important that the Lions and home unions get together to agree adequate preparation time.

“The season needs to be adjusted so that we can spend a couple of weeks in the UK preparing properly. The Lions need to be given the best possible chance to be successful for the future.

“New Zealand is harder to tour from a logistical point of view. It wasn’t until I left there that I realised what a difficult country it is to tour because getting around is more challenging.”

Gatland is open to the possibility of being at the helm when the elite of British and Irish rugby visit his homeland in four years time.

“There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge before 2017. You get opportunities in life if you’re part of successful environments and teams,” he said.

“Winning a couple of Grand Slams with Wales and reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup has given me this opportunity.

“I’m grateful for the chance and if it came up again then it’s something I might look at.”

Inevitably, attention at today’s final press conference drifted back to Brian O’Driscoll’s omission from the squad for the last Test – a decision that had dominated the build up to the climax of the series.

Gatland’s team selection – that also included 10 of his Wales players – was utterly vindicated by the four-try mauling of Australia, but he refused to gloat over being proved right.

“A lot was made of the number of Welsh players involved, but that missed the story which wasn’t about the starting team but the finishing team,” he said.

“It was about the guys who came off the bench and the job they did. They were outstanding. It was the 23 who had to make the big impact.

“If we’d selected Brian we’d probably have won with that performance as well. We felt it was the right rugby decision, not a sentimental decision.

“I spoke to Brian after the game because I know how disappointed he was, but he was part of a winning series. He played in the first two Tests and was very much a part of it.”

Gatland also claimed the squad had covered themselves in glory Down Under.

“We spoke to the players this morning, saying we were very proud of the way they represented the Lions jersey and their home nations,” he said.

“For us to go home having won the series is the icing on the cake. The series went down to the wire and that’s why you’re involved in professional sport – you want it to be tough and nail-biting.”