Warren Gatland Slams "Dangerous" All Black Tactics
British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland will ask referees to clamp down on the All Blacks' "dangerous" harassment of Conor Murray's kicking game.
A flawless second half from the three-time world cup winners ensured a 30-15 win in Eden Park, but after the match, Gatland admitted he is concerned for the safety of scrum-half Conor Murray.
"When you see someone dive at someone's leg and it's blind, you feel for the player, and it's a little bit concerning that they are actually not trying to charge the kick down, because they are nowhere near it. They are actually diving blindly and hitting someone's leg."
The Kiwi-native stated that his biggest concern is making sure that his players are protected and safe in the matches, and he thought "that was a little bit dangerous and after he's kicked he's been pushed a few times, and pushed to the ground."
Seán O'Brien touched down for the Lions first try on Saturday evening while Tadhg Furlong and Peter O'Mahoney also started, with Johnny Sexton coming on from the bench.
Rory Best will captain the Lions in Tuesday's final midweek clash, against the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Gatland has decided to approach Jerome Garces who will referee Saturday's second Lions Test against New Zealand in Wellington on the issue of targeting the Irish scrum-half.
"I'll just be asking politely that the officials look at that and make sure they protect him."