Gatland concerned by targeting of Lions scrum-half Murray
Warren Gatland has expressed concerns over British and Irish Lions scrum-half Conor Murray being targeted during the first Test against New Zealand.
Murray's box kicking has been an effective weapon throughout his career but Gatland felt the Ireland number nine took some unnecessarily rough treatment as he put boot to ball from the base of rucks and scrums during the All Black's 30-15 victory on Saturday.
Speaking at a news conference, Lions coach Gatland said: "The one concern for me was, a couple of times from Conor Murray, there was a charge-down where someone dived at his legs which was a little bit dangerous.
"They're not massive issues for us, but we're just making sure that he's being looked after and protected and not harassed after he's box kicked.
"It's a little bit tough when you see someone dive at someone's leg, you feel for the player and it's concerning that they're not trying to charge the kick down because they're nowhere near it, they're diving blindly and hitting someone's leg.
"For me it's about protecting the players and making sure they're safe. That's my biggest concern.
"I'll be asking politely the officials, to look at that and make sure they protect them."
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Brumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
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