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British & Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland's winning knack assessed ahead of New Zealand decider

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 06:  George North of the Lions scores a try as James O'Connor of the Wallabies looks on during the International Test match betwee
Image: George North's stunning try sent the Lions on their way to victory in Australia - can they repeat the feat in New Zealand?

Throughout his career, when it matters most, British & Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has developed an uncanny knack of getting the job done.

From Wasps to Waikato, Wales to overcoming the Wallabies, in one-off games where the stakes cannot get any higher, the Kiwi has delivered.

Ahead of the Lions' series-deciding third Test against New Zealand, and arguably his greatest challenge, we look back at Gatland's formidable track record...

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Wasps

Wasps 48-30 Bath (May 25, 2003)

Gatland masterminded a flawless European Challenge Cup campaign to set the first of two shots at silverware in his maiden season at Wasps. In a game that's remembered for Bath captain Danny Grewcock's sending off - for punching England team-mate Lawrence Dallaglio - Wasps ruthlessly made their man advantage count at the Madejski Stadium, Josh Lewsey among the six try scorers who sealed an eighth win from eight in the tournament.

READING - MAY 25:  The Wasps players celebrate victory  after the Parker Pen Challenge Cup Final match between Bath and Wasps on May 25, 2003 at Madejski S
Image: Lawrence Dallaglio leads the Wasps celebrations after their first success under Gatland

Gloucester 3-39 Wasps (May 31, 2003)

Six days on from Challenge Cup glory, Wasps had the chance to get their hands on another trophy in the Premiership final. Having finished the regular campaign second, a play-off semi-final win over Northampton booked a winner-takes-all clash with table-toppers Gloucester at Twickenham. Despite finishing 15 points adrift of the Cherry and Whites, it was Wasps who prevailed as Lewsey's first-half double and a late Joe Worsley try sealed an emphatic debut double for Gatland.

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Lawrence Dallaglio lifts Premiership trophy aloft after Wasps 3-39 victory over Bath at Twickenham
Image: Lawrence Dallaglio raises the first Premiership trophy of the Gatland era aloft

Wasps 27-20 Toulouse (May 23, 2004)

Twelve months on from his first triumph, Gatland's Wasps stood on the brink of rugby immortality having reached the pinnacle of the club game - the Heineken Cup final. Standing in their way were defending champions Toulouse, who were bidding for a record third European Cup success.

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Who can forget Rob Howley's incredible late try for Wasps? And the heartache for Toulouse and Clement Poitrenaud at Twickenham stadium.

A pulsating Twickenham final looked destined for extra-time with the scores locked at 20-20. But, with just seconds remaining, scrum-half Rob Howley pounced on Clement Poitrenaud's indecision on his own try-line to snatch victory as Wasps were crowned European champions for the first time.

London, UNITED KINGDOM:  (FILES) This file photo shows the London Wasps, lead by their captain Lawrence Dallaglio (C), celebrating their win over Toulouse

Bath 6-10 Wasps (May 29, 2004)

An error-strewn afternoon at the line-out threatened to derail Wasps' hopes of adding a second league title to their European triumph, as Chris Malone kicked Bath into a 3-0 half-time lead at Twickenham. But, while their set-piece was found wanting, Gatland's now-trademark defensive prowess came to the fore, keeping Bath at bay as Alex King's drop goal and a converted Stuart Abbott try sealed a hard-fought second domestic crown.

TWICKENHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 29:  Lawrence Dallaglio and Paul Volley of Wasps lift the Zurich Premiership Cup after the Zurich Premiership Final match between
Image: Paul Volley and Lawrence Dallaglio celebrates Wasps' second Premiership title in as many years

Leicester 14-39 Wasps (May 14, 2005)

First met second in the Premiership final a year later as Wasps went in search of their third consecutive title. On the afternoon when England and Leicester heroes Martin Johnson and Neil Back bid farewell to the game, Wasps put any sentiment to one side as tries from Tom Voyce, Mark van Gisbergen and Rob Hoadley tamed the Tigers. With a hat-trick of titles underlining Wasps' domestic dominance, Gatland, with little else left to achieve, returned to his native New Zealand soon after.

LONDON - MAY 14:  Head coach, Warren Gatland and captain, Lawrence Dallaglio hold up the trophy after winning the Zurich Premiership Final match between Le
Image: Warren Gatland and Lawrence Dallaglio lift the Premiership trophy high after their resounding victory over Leicester

Waikato

Waikato 37-31 Wellington (October 21, 2006)

Having forged his professional playing career at Waikato, Gatland returned in a coaching capacity and was tasked with replicating the success he had enjoyed Europe. Tries from Ma'a Nonu and Tana Umaga came too late for Wellington as Gatland's impenetrable defensive set-up laid the foundation for the Mooloos to end a 14-year wait to be crowned New Zealand's provincial champions.

HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND - OCTOBER 21:  Mils Muliaina (L) and Byron Kelleher of Waikato hold the trophy following their teams win in the Air New Zealand Cup F
Image: Mils Muliaina and double try scorer Byron Kelleher celebrates Waikato's first provisional championship since 1992

Wales

Wales 29-12 France (March 15, 2008)

After their dismal group-stage exit at the Rugby World Cup six months prior, Gatland led Wales to only their second Grand Slam in 30 years, sealed with a dominant final-quarter display against the French in Cardiff. With the scores locked at 9-9 with half an hour remaining, Shane Williams crossed over to become Wales' all-time leading try scorer before Martyn Williams wrapped up a historic victory.

CARDIFF, UNITED KINGDOM - MARCH 15:  Shane Williams of Wales celebrates his try during the RBS Six Nations Championship match between Wales and France at t
Image: Shane Williams' record-breaking try inspired Wales to the 2008 Grand Slam

England 12-19 Wales (February 25, 2012)

With victories over Scotland and Ireland in the bag, the 2012 Six Nations boiled down to Wales' Triple Crown decider against fellow tournament hopefuls England.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 25:  Scott Williams of Wales goes over to score his try during the RBS 6 Nations match between England and Wales at Twickenham S
Image: Scott Williams' moment of brilliance put Wales ahead at Twickenham

Stuart Lancaster's men appeared on course for a hard-fought victory, leading throughout until Scott Williams stunned Twickenham with a 75th-minute try. Victories over Italy and France at the Millennium Stadium in their final two games were nothing more than a formality as a third Grand Slam in eight tournaments was secured.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 25:  (L-R) Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Mike Phillips, Alex Cuthbert and George North of Wales celebrate with the Triple Cro
Image: With the Triple Crown secure, Wales would go on to clinch their second Grand Slam under Gatland

British & Irish Lions

Australia 16-41 British & Irish Lions (July 6, 2013)

Having been pegged back in the series by Adam Ashley-Cooper's late try Melbourne, the 2013 Lions tour of Australia reached a thrilling climax as Sydney's ANZ Stadium played host to the decider. Alex Corbisiero's first-minute try, and Leigh Halfpenny's precision from the tee, settled any early nerves for the tourists, but a converted James O'Connor try on the stroke of half-time made in 10-19 to leave the contest tantalisingly poised.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 06:  The Lions celebrate their victory during the International Test match between the Australian Wallabies and British & Irish Li
Image: Tour captains Alun-Wyn Jones and Sam Warburton basked in the glory of a Lions series victory

But Gatland's men moved up a gear in the second period, as unanswered scores from Johnny Sexton, George North and Jamie Roberts ended the Lions' 14-year wait for a series victory.

Watch New Zealand v the British and Irish Lions - The Decider - live on Saturday, 7.30am, Sky Sports 1 HD

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