SM
Everton vs. Liverpool: 15 hrs 55 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Collect News Data

Warren Gatland warns Lions to prepare for "cup final" in series decider

:Headline: Warren Gatland warns Lions to prepare for 'cup final' in series decider:
The Lions had led 9-6 at half-time of the second Test with South Africa.
Sports Mole

Warren Gatland has told his British and Irish Lions to prepare for a "cup final" after their 27-9 defeat by South Africa in the second Test set up a series decider next Saturday.

The Lions entered half-time at Cape Town Stadium 9-6 ahead through three Dan Biggar penalties but the match then turned on its head, with the world champions taking control up-front and in the air.

Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am crossed in the third quarter while the boot of Handre Pollard did the rest, setting up a winner-takes-all scenario in the climax to the tour.

"The players are very disappointed but next Saturday is a cup final. That's how we've got to look at it and prepare," head coach Gatland said.

"There are a few things we've got to tidy up. It's 1-1 and South Africa put a huge amount of emotion into that game. We've got that chance next week to hopefully take the series.

"We were happy at half-time and in the second half just didn't get into it. We got no momentum, no real opportunity to play. Nothing at all from our kick returns and that was disappointing.

"They scrummaged well in the second half and got some reward from that. We felt going into half-time that we'd carried well, we had some forward momentum and we just didn't achieve that at all in the second half."

The build-up to the second Test saw South Africa director of rugby Rassie Erasmus release online an hour-long video critiquing the performance of the officials at Cape Town Stadium a week earlier.

The Springboks then doubled down on their claim of being disrespected by the officials and accused Gatland of "destroying the dignity of the series" after the Lions made it known that they felt Marius Jonker – a South African – should not have been TMO.

"I thought it (Erasmus' video) was pretty interesting. I won't be going on social media this week," Gatland said.

"I don't really want to comment on that because I want other people to take care of it. The last thing we need is a war of words and being accused of doing certain things.

"It's amazing to me how the narrative changed with regard to the TMO. I didn't make one comment leading up to the game last weekend about the TMO yet I was accused of questioning his integrity.

"That was the message they were sending out. We'll keep things to ourselves and keep to the proper channels.

"We've got systems and process in place. Hopefully World Rugby looks at that to make sure everyone follows the protocols.

"We deal with the referees through World Rugby. That's the process. I just hope it doesn't get to the situation where we end up with things on Twitter and people airing their views in that way and not through the proper channels.

"I found it quite strange that that approach was taken. It's definitely not something I'll get involved with. It's important that we keep up the integrity of the game as much as we can."

Cheslin Kolbe was lucky to escape a red card for taking Lions scrum-half Conor Murray out in the air.

"We'll have our meeting with the referee this week and see what the assessors come back with in terms of their decision. It didn't look great from where I was but he decided it was a yellow card decision," Gatland said.

body check tags ::

amp_article__457643 : Collect and Make Data not in DataBase  : 
last updated article - 2021-07-31 20:32:44:
html db last update - 2021-07-31 20:10:12 :

ex - 7200 : read : write cache and make html

Click here for more stories about Warren Gatland

Click here for more stories about British and Irish Lions

Share this article now:
BA
Read Next:
Robbie Henshaw: 'Lions are prepared for South Africa backlash'
>


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!
Read more about Warren Gatland Rassie Erasmus Makazole Mapimpi Lukhanyo Am Dan Biggar Rugby Union
Follow @SportsMole for the latest breaking news stories, and follow @sm_headlines to get every headline from Sports Mole
Recommended Next on SM
Robbie Henshaw: 'Lions are prepared for South Africa backlash'
Havertz haunts Chelsea as five-star Arsenal extend lead at PL summit

Page options

Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool33228375324374
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle321551269521750
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd32155124748-150
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves33127144653-743
12Fulham34126165054-442
13Bournemouth33119134860-1242
14Crystal Palace3399154256-1436
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton33108153448-1430
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3337233188-5716
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.

history www

This weekend's permutations: Who can be crowned champions, win promotion or suffer relegation?

1

TW

Stacey Dooley joins cast of 2:22 A Ghost Story

NEW

2

SD

Big Brother house to be moved this year?

NEW

3

BB

Arsenal 'to rival Man City, Man Utd for Premier League midfielder'

4

A'

Havertz haunts Chelsea as five-star Arsenal extend lead at PL summit

5

HH

Preview: Man Utd vs. Sheff Utd - prediction, team news, lineups

6

PM

Barcelona 'lining up shock move for Chelsea midfielder'

7

B'

Man Utd, Arsenal dealt blow in pursuit of Lautaro Martinez

8

MU

Feyenoord chief responds to Arne Slot links with Liverpool job

9

FC

Team News: Everton vs. Liverpool injury, suspension list, predicted XIs

10

TN


. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .