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Reuters

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen responded testily to Warren Gatland’s claims that his side had deliberately tried to hurt British & Irish Lions scrum half Conor Murray during the first test in Auckland on Saturday.
Lions coach Gatland accused the All Blacks of intentionally diving into Murray’s legs to hurt him rather than negate his box kicking, and said he would ask the second test referee Jerome Garces to be vigilant on illegal tactics.
The All Blacks beat the Lions 30-15 at Eden Park to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Before the first test, Gatland claimed the world champions engaged in illegal scrummaging and blocking of runners chasing kicks.
“It’s predictable coming from Gatland – two weeks ago we cheated in the scrums, last week it was blocking, now we’re saying this,” Hansen told RadioSport.
Watch: Highlights from the first test in Auckland


“I guess he might be a bit desperate or something. I don’t know why he would be saying it.
“We are not intentionally trying to hurt anyone. It never will be as long as I’m involved with the All Blacks.
“It is really, really disappointing. We’re trying to charge the kick down and or tackle him.
‘Is there no end to Sonny Bill and his classy gestures?’: Williams gifts All Blacks kit to young Lions fan
“Just because he is one of their key players, he doesn’t have the right to go around the park without being charged down or tackled.”
None of the All Blacks were cautioned during the match, but there was a huge chorus of boos from the mass of Lions fans in the eastern stand of the ground after Murray was knocked to the pitch and slow to get back up during the first half.

Hansen, however, said if there had been any foul play then his players would have been cited by disciplinary officials.
“It wasn’t in the game ... there’s a guy watching for foul play all the time,” he said.
“If [they] thought it, he would have indicated that to the referee. We want to play hard and fair and want teams to do the same to us. Then we will see who has the best skill sets and takes the opportunities in 80 minutes. Then it’s start again.”


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British & Irish Lions

Steve Hansen dismisses ‘desperate’ Warren Gatland’s injury claims about Conor Murray

British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland (left) and New Zealand coach Steve Hansen shake hands before the start of the first test at Eden Park in Auckland. Photo: AFP

British and Irish Lions Conor Murray kicks the ball during the first test between the British and Irish Lions and the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, June 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

All Blacks beware: Warren Gatland to coach British & Irish Lions against New Zealand in 2017

Warren Gatland will coach the British & Irish Lions on their New Zealand tour. Photo: AFP

Rugby Union - Ireland v Wales - RBS Six Nations Championship 2016 - Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Republic of Ireland - 7/2/16 Wales head coach Warren Gatland Reuters / Eddie Keogh Livepic EDITORIAL USE ONLY.

Andy Goode and Jim Hamilton say Warren Gatland’s British & Irish Lions replacements are ‘ridiculous’

Andy Goode played for numerous clubs, including the Natal Sharks, as well as England. Picture carrying the ball into contact for . Photo: Reuters

(L to R) Andy Goode (England) and Former internationals Jim Hamilton (Scotland) and, pose for a picture at Kerry Hotel in Hung Hom. 17JUN17 SCMP / Edward Wong

British and Irish Lions flyhalf Jonathon Sexton passes the ball to a teammate during their match against the New Zealand Maori in Rotorua, New Zealand, Saturday, June 17, 2017. (Brett Phibbs/New Zealand Herald via AP)

British & Irish Lions torn to shreds by New Zealand pundits after tour opener as attentions turn to home

Warren Gatland (centre left) and the rest of the British & Irish Lions team are welcomed to New Zealand with a traditional Maori challenge and powhiri. Photos: AFP

A Maori warrior leads the British and Irish Lions team (in background) up to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds during a Maori welcoming ceremony at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Waitangi on June 4, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Hannah Peters

British and Lions rugby head coach Warren Gatland (C) and the rest of the team listen to speeches in the meeting house during a Maori welcoming at Waitangi Treaty Grounds in Waitangi on June 4, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / POOL / Hannah Peters

Coach Steve Hansen plays down hype about All Blacks ahead of British & Irish Lions test

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen. Photo: AFP

All Blacks second rower Brodie Retallick runs through the Manu Samoa defense during the Pasifika Challenge Test match between Manu Samoa and the All Blacks at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, Friday, June 16, 2017. (Brett Phibbs/New Zealand Herald via AP)

All Blacks inside centre Sonny Bill Williams passes the ball during the Pasifika Challenge Test match between Manu Samoa and the All Blacks at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, Friday, June 16, 2017. (Brett Phibbs/New Zealand Herald via AP)

All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown is tackled during the Pasifika Challenge Test match between Manu Samoa and the All Blacks at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand, Friday, June 16, 2017. (Brett Phibbs/New Zealand Herald via AP)

Sport

Rugby

New Zealand coach hits back after British & Irish Lions counterpart accuses All Blacks of targeting scrum half during first test in Auckland
