lions have poked the bear says coach gatland
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Last Updated : GMT 09:40:38
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

ahead of this weekend's series decider

Lions have 'poked the bear', says coach Gatland

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicleLions have 'poked the bear', says coach Gatland

The British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland
Wellington - Muslimchronicle

Warren Gatland says his British and Irish Lions "poked the bear" with their second Test win over the All Blacks and warned against riling up the world champions ahead of this weekend's series decider.

But despite advising his players to mind their tongues, the coach could not resist his own dig at the world champions' lack of running rugby in the first two Tests.

"Ironically, this is the best team in the world and, for two Test matches, they really haven't stressed us," he told British media.

"They have squeezed us and made us give away penalties but we haven't seen the expansive rugby that the All Blacks are known for.

"We've coped with that and, if we can continue to improve in other areas, then we are going to see, hopefully, a great Test match."

He expected a strong response from the All Blacks to the Lions' 24-21 win over a 14-man New Zealand in Wellington.

"Yes, we have poked the bear but hopefully the wounded Lion from last week is still recovering as well," he said.

Gatland said his players should watch what they say about their opponents in the build up to the third Test in Auckland on Saturday.

"Hopefully we don't give them any ammunition this week and concentrate on ourselves because they will be using anything they can to motivate themselves," he said.

He believed there was room for the Lions to improve as they chase a first series win in New Zealand since 1971, particularly the 13 penalties conceded in Wellington.

"I'm happy we got ourselves out of a hole and showed some real character and courage and I'm happy with our physicality but we've got to make sure we don't give away stupid and soft penalties," he said.

"Key players were guilty of that."

Gatland was relaxed about the Lions spending a few days in a South Island tourist spot to relax ahead of the Eden Park match.

Queenstown was the scene of the infamous dwarf-tossing bar-room antics that derailed England's 2011 World Cup campaign but Gatland said he did not envisage similar incidents involving the Lions.

"These players are true professionals. They'll have a couple of quiet beers," he said.

"On the last two tours we've gone away somewhere, freshened them up and had a couple of light sessions later in the week. That's worked really well for us."

The scope for the Lions to get into trouble may be limited anyway as Altitude, the bar where the England players came unstuck, closed in 2013.

source: AFP

themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle

GMT 05:38 2017 Saturday ,11 November

Gatland reveals new-look Wales side

GMT 09:05 2017 Friday ,10 November

Gatland reveals new-look Wales side

GMT 11:47 2017 Wednesday ,01 November

Gatland looking forward to joint training
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

Name *

E-mail *

Comment Title*

Comment *

: Characters Left

Mandatory *

Terms of use

Publishing Terms: Not to offend the author, or to persons or sanctities or attacking religions or divine self. And stay away from sectarian and racial incitement and insults.

I agree with the Terms of Use

Security Code*

lions have poked the bear says coach gatland lions have poked the bear says coach gatland

 



Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle

GMT 07:32 2017 Friday ,11 August

Venezuela clamps down on opposition politicians

GMT 08:39 2017 Tuesday ,15 August

Hundreds join silent London march for fire victims

GMT 10:19 2017 Saturday ,08 April

Google adds 'fact check' to global search results

GMT 08:51 2017 Friday ,13 October

Etzebeth to lead Springboks on European tour

GMT 13:54 2017 Saturday ,25 November

Electricity Minister receives UN Resident Coordinator

GMT 12:55 2017 Wednesday ,18 October

Cowabunga Adam! Great Scott makes waves in Korea

GMT 14:50 2017 Wednesday ,01 November

Oldest, most iconic drinking fountain in Kuwait

GMT 09:24 2017 Wednesday ,06 December

Canada and China hail ties

GMT 18:35 2016 Thursday ,06 October

Sisi bestows Order of Honor Star on Sudan’s Bashir

GMT 23:26 2016 Wednesday ,29 June

Still aiming to resume Syria peace talks in July

GMT 22:13 2014 Friday ,31 October

NBB posts 42.16m Bahraini dinar net profits

GMT 09:34 2016 Tuesday ,20 December

Electoral College seals Trump White House win

GMT 09:26 2014 Wednesday ,15 October

US losing to ISIS in race against time

GMT 08:52 2011 Monday ,19 September

The Israeli Embassy and Syrian state television

GMT 10:57 2016 Tuesday ,20 September

China to unveil steel merger plans this week

GMT 16:40 2017 Monday ,06 March

FM: No refugee camps in Egypt
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
Themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle
 
 Themuslimchronicle Facebook,themuslimchronicle facebook  Themuslimchronicle Twitter,themuslimchronicle twitter Themuslimchronicle Rss,themuslimchronicle rss  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube  Themuslimchronicle Youtube,themuslimchronicle youtube

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2023 ©

muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle muslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle themuslimchronicle
themuslimchronicle
بناية النخيل - رأس النبع _ خلف السفارة الفرنسية _بيروت - لبنان
themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle, themuslimchronicle