Steve Hansen hits back after All Blacks outmuscle British and Irish Lions

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has taken a swipe at the British and Irish Lions' ambitions to become the world's best forward pack.

The All Blacks dominated the scrum and lineout in Saturday's first Test win, demolishing the tourists' plans to dictate the tight exchanges in their 30-15 triumph at Auckland's Eden Park.

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Assistant coach Steve Borthwick had challenged the Lions to become the best forward pack to stand a chance against the world champions, while Warren Gatland wanted his team to "suffocate" their opponents.

"I always find it amusing when people tell us they are going to beat us up in the tight five," said Hansen.

"We can play down and dirty rugby too if we have to. And I mean down and dirty in the most respectful way. I thought our tight five were very, very good. If the tight five do the job everyone else can play.

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"Tonight's Test was always going to be won in the tight five. We won that battle, but that doesn't guarantee that will happen next week.

"We've got to be extremely proud of what they did. You don't become the number one side in the world without having a quality tight five."

Full debutant Rieko Ioane scored two tries, and although the Lions did produce at times some sparkling rugby, their strength up front proved their downfall.

The Lions will now face the Hurricanes in Wellington on Tuesday before next weekend's second Test at the Westpac Stadium.

Lions boss Gatland admitted the tourists had to harden up in their tight five and said: "We need to be much more physical next week for the All Blacks; that was disappointing.

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"The All Blacks sacked our mauls very well; we need to negate that. And there was one scrum that's caught us as well.

"The All Blacks tight five were very good, but we need to be tough on ourselves and honest in our performance.

"A lot of those things are fixable. We know what to expect for next week."

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