Wednesday 2 November 2016 12:43, UK
British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has been mocked up as a clown in the New Zealand media after he said he was "embarrassed" by All Blacks fans.
Kiwi Gatland - who will lead the Lions in his homeland next year - criticised the treatment Australia coach Michael Cheika and fly-half Quade Cooper by New Zealand supporters and media.
Cheika was mocked up as a clown in the New Zealand Herald ahead of last month's Rugby Championship match under the headline 'Send in the clowns' - and now Gatland has been given the same treatment as the war of words between the Lions coach and his fellow countrymen continues.
"There was still a large portion of the crowd booing Quade Cooper. Get over it," said Gatland. "As a Kiwi, I was embarrassed.
"You can be proud but you've still got to show humility and respect," Gatland said. "In the past New Zealanders have prided ourselves on that and been humble about the success of the rugby team.
"It was the first time that I've sat there and thought, 'We're better than this'. I don't think the All Blacks are doing that."
The Herald responded on Wednesday with a mournful-looking cartoon of Gatland, and the paper suspects the Wales coach is indulging in mind games - adding that he is quite right to.
"There are terrific signs of life from the newly-appointed Lions coach who has just taken a pop at New Zealanders who have taken a pop at the Aussies," wrote the paper's Chris Rattue.
"Gatland needs to be a strong and dominant leader if his Lions are to succeed and/or be competitive here next year. We all want a great series, not a hometown walkover.
"Gatland lacked a certain combativeness when he was here with Wales this year. He may need to indulge in mind games next time."
