There's been enough trash talk, let's let the rugby do the talking - Warren Gatland

The British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland has called to put a stop to all the "trash talks" and let the rugby do the talking for both the sides ahead of Saturday's first Test against the All Blacks at Eden Park.

Gatland although seemed delighted for putting the All Blacks' coach Steve Hansen on the back foot, has now shifted his focus on preparing for a tough encounter.

"If I'm getting up his nose that's a good position to be in,” said Gatland.

"I'm not worried about Steve at all. We've got ourselves to prepare and get ready. We know it's going to be a tough encounter and let's let the rugby do the talking because there's been enough trash talk already."

Gatland also expressed his gratitude to the people of New Zealand for their hospitality and a welcome attitude for his players. However, he also took the opportunity to slam the hostile local media.

"This could be a fantastic series for the Lions and for New Zealand rugby and for the New Zealand public.

"Unfortunately there have been a few sideline things that have taken the focus away from that because wherever we've been in New Zealand the welcome has been unbelievable, the hospitality has been awesome. We're getting a different message as a squad of players in terms of that welcome than sometimes what we're reading in the media.”

After struggling against the Blues, the Lions went on to register victories against the Crusaders and the Maori All Blacks with an exceptional display of aggressive defense. And Gatland has now decided to continue sticking to a similar strategy which has yielded results for his side.

“We squeezed the life out of those two teams. We won’t stop being aggressive defensively and you need a strong setpiece against the All Blacks,” he said.

“We’re not going to be talked into playing Barbarians-type rugby if we’ve got certain weapons we can deploy but if we can get in behind the All Blacks hopefully we can finish the chances we have been creating.

“I actually think we’ve played some lovely rugby. We struggled at the start of the tour but I think we’ve scored nine tries to three in the last three games.”

Since the beginning of the tour, Gatland has iterated only way to defeat the All Blacks is to play some bold and positive rugby.

“Before we left the UK, the message was that you have to be bold. You have to take risks. Yes we are playing to a structure as every team does but we know we have to be courageous and play some positive rugby,” he said.

“Playing with some flair, being courageous and bold – that is the way to beat the All Blacks.

“This group of players have an opportunity on Saturday night to do something pretty special.”