The head coach refused to make excuses for the loss in yesterday’s second clash between the two sides as his men were eventually over-run and overpowered in the second half.
He also bit his lip over some controversial refereeing decisions by New Zealander Ben O’Keeffe, who could easily have sent off Cheslin Kolbe for a dangerous hit on Conor Murray in the first half.
Gatland remained upbeat and confident despite seeing a 9-6 halftime lead end in a heavy 27-9 defeat, meaning it is all to play for in the Third Test on Saturday.
Second-half tries from Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am sealed victory for the hosts and wrecked the tourists’ bid to clinch the series. All the Lions could muster was three penalties from Dan Biggar’s boot, while Handre Pollard kicked 17 points.
Gatland insisted: “It’s now about not dropping heads, remaining positive and coming out fighting.
“We were very disappointed with the second-half display but we have to move on and quickly think about next weekend. That’s going to be like a cup final and we have to get up for that one and throw every emotion into that game. It’s 1-1 and pretty exciting and it is going to be a challenge for us.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin August 01, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin August 01, 2021 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
England show who's No.1
ENGLAND women’s head coach John Mitchell says his side will take valuable lessons from the 24-12 win over world champions New Zealand as they build towards their WXV1 title defence.
Skivington: We're going to roll dice and go for it
THE Cherry and Whites are the enigmas of the Premiership.
Looking to go one step beyond this time around
NE small step is what it will take for Bath to go one better than last season and secure the Premiership for the first time, but it would be one of the biggest taken by the club in the professional era.
Four-try England make it 17 wins on the spin
ENGLAND women opened the Allianz Stadium era at HQ with a victory over New Zealand to make it 17 wins on the bounce before their WXV title defence.
Time for Borthwick to prove his worth
HONEYMOON periods are not set in stone and in my estimation Steve Borthwick’s ends this summer. Don’t get me wrong, he’s still in good shape.
Barrington ready to power up the Mob
RICHARD Barrington has signed up to the Ampthill “Mob” reassured that he’ll still have a target on his back most weeks.
Skivington keen to build identity
GLOUCESTER won their first trophy for nine years last season and reached the Challenge Cup final, but when George Skivington went on holiday the day after the campaign ended the words in his head were never again.
Roebuck targets England success
WINNING a maiden England Test cap to top the best season of his career will not be enough for Sale winger Tom Roebuck.
Booth: Tough telling players I was leaving
TOBY Booth admits telling his Ospreys players that he would be leaving at the end of the season was one of the hardest things he has had to do in his career.
Stephens' debut try sees off old rivals
DORKING had to dig deep in another tight game between two old rivals, with the lead changing hands twice and result in doubt right up to the final whistle.
