“New Zealand sides sometimes go on with a different focus or a different approach. Everyone talks about their ability to play rugby, quality rugby, but when they need to they can mix it up as well. They can change your focus and turn that into a bit of a dogfight.
“I think we saw that the week after they lost to Ireland in Chicago. They went to Dublin and it wasn’t about the performance. It was about the result. They’d had a kick up the backside and thought – whatever it takes we’ve got to win this match.”
Warren Gatland Has A Pop At New Zealand Over That Ireland Game In Dublin
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Shots fired.
Lions head coach Warren Gatland has taken a pop at the All Blacks over that controversial game with Ireland in Dublin back in November. The All Blacks were highly criticised for their cynical performance that night at the Aviva.
Steve Hansen’s men successfully defeated Ireland that day after losing to them in Chicago, but not without incident. Sam Cane controversially injured Robbie Henshaw with a shoulder charge, while Malakai Fekitoa should have seen red for a challenge on Simon Zebo.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Gatland says everyone talks about their ability to play rugby, but suggests they can turn the game into a dogfight when needs be, as was the case in Dublin. Gatland says that day was all about winning the match, no matter what it takes.
