The All Blacks have distanced themselves from a New Zealand Herald cartoon depicting Lions coach Warren Gatland as a red-nosed clown following the alleged targeting of Conor Murray in Saturday’s first Test in Auckland.

When asked for a view of the clown cartoon that came with the caption "If the nose fits, Warren...", New Zealand assistant coach Ian Foster, a former team-mate of Gatland’s at Waikato and a family friend, said: “I wouldn’t like that.”

Foster added: “You’d have to ask The New Zealand Herald [for an explanation].”

The All Blacks remain indignant about Gatland’s accusation that Jerome Kaino dived into Murray’s standing leg after the Lions scrum-half had box-kicked in Auckland - but are disowning the lampooning of Steve Hansen’s opposite number in the local press.

“It doesn’t change a thing. I wasn’t even aware [of the cartoon],” Foster said. “That’s why I’m not going to comment on that particular question. Doesn’t make any difference for us.