• Home
  • /
  • Rugby
  • /
  • Warren Gatland Admits Preparations For Lions First Test Could Have Been Better

Warren Gatland Admits Preparations For Lions First Test Could Have Been Better

Warren Gatland Admits Preparations For Lions First Test Could Have Been Better
James Carroll
By James Carroll
Share this article

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has admitted that preparations in the lead up to the first test against New Zealand could have been better.

Upon arriving home from New Zealand, Sean O'Brien, who scored a try in that first test, was highly critical of his sides preparation for the first test against the All Blacks.

The Leinster player singled out backs coach Rob Howley for struggling to get his message across and that Johnny Sexton and Owen Farrell led the backs' preparations and attacking phases.

Gatland was speaking at the Stella Theatre, Rathmines, Dublin, last night at Off The Ball's Rugby Roadshow where he admitted he was disappointed with how the week panned out,

We were a bit heavy legged and I was a bit pissed off with myself reflecting and having a look back on our preparation for that first test. Not because of the training but we’d been in ten hotels in two weeks.

We had a good chat and I said I don’t have any problems with him, I just thought there was a better forum to address it than that.

Recommended

Surprising but refreshing honesty from the New Zealander that he 'was a bit pissed off with myself' regarding their preparations but he would have preferred if the Tullow Tank aired his grievances to him, face-to-face.

Advertisement

The Wales coach admitted that he has a lot to learn from Declan Kidney on how to conduct press conferences in the lead up games.

Hopefully this issue between the pair can go into cold storage until February when Wales travel to Dublin to take on Ireland in round three of the Six Nations Championship 2018.

Read Warren Gatland's full quotes here.

Advertisement

SEE ALSO: Reports: Munster Target Another Irish Full-Back To Replace Simon Zebo

Join The Monday Club Have a tip or something brilliant you wanted to share on? We're looking for loyal Balls readers free-to-join members club where top tipsters can win prizes and Balls merchandise

Processing your request...

You are now subscribed!

Share this article

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. Developed by Square1 and powered by PublisherPlus.com

Advertisement