• ‘The last couple of weeks, in terms of the criticism, have been tough to take’ • Warburton: ‘I didn’t even celebrate. I’ll only be happy if we get that series win’

Warren Gatland says the relentless flak directed at the British & Irish Lions by certain Kiwi critics was among the major inspirations behind his team’s stunning second Test victory. The Lions head coach revealed that members of his family had been affected by the coverage but he believes it helped to fire up the visiting squad before their gripping win over the All Blacks.

Gatland is conscious the series is far from won and is anticipating a fierce backlash from New Zealand in the decisive third Test in Auckland. He will be encouraged, though, if he and his team continue to be written off in some sections of the local media. “Certain factions have tried to divide us but they haven’t been successful,” said Gatland, who was portrayed as a clown in the New Zealand Herald. “Some of the personal stuff in the press has been completely over the top.

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“The last couple of weeks, in terms of the criticism and personal attacks, have been tough to take, not so much for myself but family members. Whoever has been doing that would have no idea how much that has galvanised us. Ironically, it’s been a huge positive. Whoever’s doing that, please keep doing it because it’s not working and it’s probably been great for us. Even ex-All Blacks have contacted me to wish us good luck. I’m a happy clown this week.”

The Lions have not won a series in New Zealand since 1971 but, with the tourists now back in contention at 1-1 with the third Test to play, Gatland is predicting a brutal encounter in Auckland. “We know historically what NZ sides are like when they lose. They respond and there’s no better example than what happened in Dublin after they lost in Chicago last November.

“We know we’re going to be in for an almighty battle at Eden Park but we’ve come out of tonight with some belief and some confidence. We stepped up physically, which was a challenge, we scored a couple of nice tries and we kept the All Blacks tryless. I can’t remember the last time that happened.

“That’s two Test matches in a row where they haven’t really stressed us from an attacking perspective and we think we were the ones who played some pretty positive rugby.”

Sam Warburton, however, has stressed he will not be satisfied unless the Lions can win again. “I didn’t even celebrate when the final whistle went,” the captain said. “I’m glad we’re taking it to Eden Park next week but I’ll genuinely only be happy if we get that Test series win. We just want to get the job done.”

Warburton, though, feels the Lions can now return home with heads high regardless of the series outcome, having done much to safeguard the future of the Lions concept. “Whatever happens we’re going to come back with some credibility. The players can’t stress enough how important the Lions is for us personally. It’s the absolute pinnacle of our careers.

“Going forward, every single player in the British Isles will say they want it to happen. You feel that responsibility when you play. It’s good knowing you can come to such a tough place like New Zealand and be able to win a Test match and, potentially, a Test series. Hopefully, that’ll keep the Lions alive for another four years.”

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Gatland joked that his players would now be heading down to Queenstown for the next few days to go skiing but concedes improvement will be necessary to clinch the series. “It’s a win for us, it keeps the series alive but we’re not getting too carried away with it. We probably didn’t kick enough in the conditions but we showed some great character. The way we came back was especially significant.”

Maro Itoje believes the Lions must cut out the cheap penalties. “Thirteen penalties is way too many for us to be conceding,” the second-row said. “It’s something we spoke about and didn’t fix. We will have to have a hard look at ourselves, figure out the reasons why we’re giving away those penalties and try to reduce it. We’ve got to be more disciplined.”

As for Sonny Bill Williams’s dismissal, Gatland suggested the referee, Jérôme Garcès, had no option but to show a red card: “He’s led in with the shoulder and the referee’s felt he’s had no choice. It was a significant loss for the All Blacks but the referee’s made that call.”

The New Zealand coach, Steve Hansen, refused to blame the defeat on the decision. “Whilst I am very proud of how we hung in there with 14 men, you have to take your hat off and say well done to the Lions. The referee made the call so whether he got it right or wrong is irrelevant. The Lions deserved the win.”