Warren Gatland wants clampdown on New Zealand's 'dangerous' play

British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland has slammed the New Zealand players of deliberately targeting Conor Murray's standing leg during the recently concluded first Test at Eden Park on Saturday.

Gatland was left vivid as he felt that the All Blacks blindly fell on the Ireland international during the game which was won by Steve Hansen's men comfortably with 30-15 margin.

Nevertheless, Gatland insisted that he will have a word with referee Jerome Garces, who will officiate for the second Test to avoid such instances again.

"There were a couple of times from Conor Murray where there was a charge down where someone dived at his legs," said Gatland.

"And I thought that was a little bit dangerous

"And after he's kicked he's been pushed a few times, and pushed to the ground.

"It's just making sure he's being looked after and protected and not harassed after he's box kicked.

"So we'll probably just get some clarity from the referee later in the week.

"We can't complain about the referee in terms of the way he controlled the match."

This was not the first time, Murray faced such a treatment from his opponents as earlier, during the Champions Cup game on 14th January, Munster accused Glasgow of a similar tactics employed by the Scottish regional side to put off the 28-year-old.

"When you see someone dive at someone's leg and it's blind, you feel for the player, and it's a little bit concerning that they are actually not trying to charge the kick down, because they are nowhere near it," added Gatland.

"They are actually diving blindly and hitting someone's leg.

"So for me it's just about protecting the players, making sure they are safe and that's my biggest concern.

"So I'll just be asking politely that the officials look at that and make sure they protect him."

Lions will now face Super Rugby champions Hurricanes on Tuesday in Wellington before they lock horns with New Zealand for the second Test on Saturday.