Steve Hansen slams accusations from Lions boss Warren Gatland

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has criticised British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland for his accusations on the All Blacks side following the first Test in Auckland.

Gatland said he will consult referee Jerome Garces ahead of the second game after the All Blacks players repeatedly fell blindly targeting Conor Murray's standing leg whenever he launched a kick in the box during the first Test which the visitors went on to lose 30-15.

The 53-year-old had also earlier criticised New Zealand Super Rugby teams of illegal offending technique and his latest accusation did not go well with Hansen, who called a radio station to express his anger.

"It's predictable comments from Gatland, isn't it?" Hansen told New Zealand's Radio Sport.

"Two weeks ago it was we cheated in the scrums, last week it was blocking and now he's saying this.

"It's really disappointing to hear it, because what he's implying is that we're going out there to intentionally injure somebody and that's not the case. I guess he might be a bit desperate.

"We've never been like that and as a New Zealander I'd expect him to know the Kiwi psyche."

Lions will take on Hurricanes in their upcoming tour game on Tuesday in Wellington before locking horns with New Zealand for the second Test at the same venue on Saturday.