New Zealand newspaper mocks Warren Gatland for second time

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has been caricatured for the second time in seven months by New Zealand Herald after his recent accusations on All Blacks following the first Test in Auckland.

Gatland slammed the All Blacks for falling blindly at Conor Murray's standing leg whenever the Ireland international launched a kick in the box during the first Test which Lions went on to lose 30-15.

New Zealand Herald responded back mocking Gatland as a cartoon clown - the same they did to Wallabies coach Michael Cheika previously and England boss Eddie Jones has also received such treatments when he was in the Australian tour.

Speaking about the incident, New Zealand assistant coach Ian Foster said: "I wouldn't like that.

"It doesn't change a thing. I wasn't even aware. That's why I am not going to comment on that particular question.

"It doesn't make any difference for us. We are preparing on our game.

"You know, there are a few little issues floating around, but at the end of the day this is going to be a titanic Test match, isn't it?

"We are 1-0 up, but we know there is going to be a very desperate team (Lions) down the road, and if we are not desperate - and match that and better that - it's going to be a hard night for us.

"When there is a lot at stake, often there's lots of noise around games and people try and chuck things at you from different sides, but at the end of the day it doesn't change a thing.

"Our job as coaches is to put all that stuff to one side. I guess we probably give a little bit, they give a little bit, and that's all part of things when stakes are high.

"So he is doing what he thinks he needs to do to prepare his team and we will do what we need to do. It's part of the environment when you play a big series and this is a big series.

"People are just trying to find that edge in different sorts of ways and I wouldn't read too much more into it than just that.

"I don't know whether people like it or dislike it, but it is what it is. We don't take it as personal, it's just what some people do.

"If we start sulking about that, we will get upset and distracted by it. Isn't that the objective of it?"

Earlier, during the 2015 World Cup, New Zealand Herald mocked Cheika as a clown in response to Sydney Herald depicting Richie McCaw as a witchetty grub.

Last November, Gatland admitted he was "embarrassed" as a Kiwi to see the Herald mock up Cheika as a clown - only to end up receiving the same treatment himself.