The British & Irish Lions’ anger over the way Warren Gatland has been portrayed in the New Zealand media has resurfaced before the winner-takes-all third Test at Eden Park. Rob Howley, the Lions’ backs coach, has described some of the treatment of Gatland as “a disgrace” and predicted the 53-year-old will be a future All Black head coach.

Among other things, Gatland has been mocked as a clown in a full-page newspaper cartoon but he could yet have the last laugh if the Lions win a series in New Zealand for the first time since 1971. “The way Warren Gatland’s been treated has been a disgrace, an absolute disgrace,” said Howley. “We’re certainly aware of the NZ media and how they’ve portrayed certain personnel over the last couple of weeks.

“You can be critical of technical or tactical elements of the Lions or New Zealand but when that becomes personal criticism we all step over the mark. That’s happened over the last four weeks of the tour. It’s not nice in terms of your family.”

Howley said he had never known a coach be targeted “to the extent it has occurred with Warren Gatland” and believes the Wales coach deserves more respect: “You have to applaud what he’s achieved as a Kiwi in the northern hemisphere – and I’ve no doubt what he’ll achieve when he comes back to New Zealand as well. He’s probably one of the best coaches in world rugby at this moment in time.

“When you look at the success and what he’s won, whether it’s in Connacht, Ireland and Wales … I’ve learned hugely from Warren Gatland. He’s been unbelievable. I learned more as a player when I was coached by Warren at the age of 31 than I had done from any other coaches. He taught me a hell of a lot and you never forget that as a player.

“He understands the games, he understands players. I think his time behind Sean Fitzpatrick on the bench for the All Blacks served him pretty well in terms of his thought process and what he’s able now to talk to players about.”

Asked if he could see Gatland as All Black head coach one day, he replied: “Yes, I’ve got no doubt he will be. If and when we do win this weekend, I’m sure the accolades will come.”

The Lions, meanwhile, have been urged to seize the day and become the first team to win a series in New Zealand for 46 years. Gatland and Sam Warburton could also become the first coach and captain respectively to preside over back-to-back Lions series triumphs.

“It’s about making sure that when we’ve got the ball, we take our opportunities,” said Howley. “We have got to the point now where we are saying: ‘Wow, we are in a good place and looking to challenge the best side in world rugby. As a coach and a player you are going to be so excited … it is the ultimate challenge of creating history. That’s what we’ve got to look forward to.”

The touring team’s manager, John Spencer, said he has been inundated with good luck messages from famous former players desperate to see the All Blacks beaten in a Test match at Eden Park for the first time since 1994.

“This is the opportunity to take the ultimate challenge: beat the All Blacks, knock them off their peg on their own territory,” said Spencer. “That’s exactly what we came here to do.” Asked if a series win would surpass 1971, he replied: “I suppose it would. It’s fresher in the memory and this is the biggest achievement. It’s an incredible privilege to be part of this tour.”