All Blacks hit back at Lions in blocking row as Jerome Kaino sees 'no problems'

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Alan Dymock19 June 2017

The war of words between the Lions and the All Blacks continued today as Jerome Kaino hit back at claims by Warren Gatland that New Zealand teams deliberately block potential tacklers.

Yesterday Gatland had called out Kiwi sides for running interference in attack, but All Blacks back-row forward Kaino dismissed the accusations, saying: “I don’t think it’s just New Zealand teams. I think every team play fine margins within the rules.

“If you can play to [the rules of the game] as well as you can and protect your jumper as much as you can I don’t see any problem.”

Gatland has been disappointed in some of the coverage he has received in his native New Zealand, but has been on the front foot in the past few days and has now made a point of telling the media he was unhappy with Kiwi tactics.

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The Lions boss said: “The frustrating thing for us is the amount of blocking that’s going on. It makes it difficult to complete attacking opportunities and situations.”

Gatland revealed he has raised the issue with officials and will continue to seek clarification, meeting the referee for the First Test, Jaco Peyper of South Africa, on the eve of Saturday’s game.

Blocking may not be the only issue on the agenda. Talking today, Lions assistant Andy Farrell answered questions about how his defensive system was penalised in the 23-22 loss to the Highlanders in Dunedin last Tuesday.

Explaining why he felt hard done by in seeing penalties given for defenders being offside in that game, he said: “It was a little harsh but we’ve been looking for it [the offside line] and I’m still looking for it now.

"It is up to us to show a good picture [to referees]. There’s a correlation that has to happen from when the ball leaves the ground and where the offside line ends.”

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Meanwhile Farrell’s son, Owen, has been given the all clear for the First Test, having suffered a quad strain last Thursday.

Gatland insisted the fly-half-cum-centre could have played in the 32-10 victory over the Maori All Blacks on Saturday, if needed.

Andy Farrell confirmed this today, as he said: “It [the injury] seems to have settled down. It was always going to need a couple of days rest and recuperation.”

There is much left to be decided on the make-up of the Lions’ Test team. Sam Warburton is in line to play the first match against the All Blacks after being omitted from the squad to face the Chiefs tomorrow.

The second row also has questions over it. Maro Itoje and George Kruis are in line to make the squad, but Alun Wyn Jones and Iain Henderson will be looking to muscle into Test contention. Meanwhile, centre Jonathan Joseph will not play this midweek match after pushing himself into Gatland’s plans.

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