Kiwi coach Warren Gatland might need to learn from compatriot Graham Henry’s harsh 2001 lessons by not offending the English on a British and Irish Lions tour.
Aiming to guide the Lions to their first series success in 16 years when they play the Wallabies in June, Gatland has put himself in the crosshairs by voicing concerns about taking too many Englishmen Down Under.
England boast the form side of the Six Nations and expect to be highly-represented in the Lions’ large squad, but the former All Black admitted he was wary about the baggage they would bring.
Gatland pointed to the extra media attention that could create another destabilising “circus” like that which England suffered at the 2011 World Cup – crashing out in the quarter-finals amid a haze of controversy for late-night antics.
“(The English) are not always the most popular with other countries because of the history,” he told the London Evening Standard. “People like having a pop at them.
“It’s just being aware of potential issues that may arise. We all know what happened with England at the World Cup and the circus that was created.
“I’ve just got to be aware of the possibilities that, if there are a number of English players on the tour, the same sort of things could be instigated, through stings through the media or set-ups trying to create controversy.”
Gatland’s view immediately caused a stir with the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and put English noses out of joint.
Former English hooker Brian Moore questioned the coach’s “sanity and suitability” for what he saw as needlessly provocative and unjustified comments.
RFU chairman Bill Beaumont, who captained the Lions to South Africa in 1980, dismissed such concerns and praised the culture of the rising, new-look England outfit.
Like fellow New Zealander Henry, Gatland has risen to the Lions post after coaching Wales to Five/Six Nations glory.
But former headmaster Henry discovered that cracks of division from unhappy Englishmen can sink the collective hopes of the Home Unions – England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
England backs Matt Dawson and Austin Healey, playing in the second-string midweek Lions team, were both highly critical of the coach’s training methods and selections midway through the last trip to Australia 12 years ago.
Leading the Test series 1-0 at the time, the Lions ultimately lost the last two Tests to the Wallabies.
Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie, who was the Wallabies assistant coach in 2001, felt it was a massive challenge for the Lions coach to develop a team culture and believed Gatland had his work cut out.
“That’s an area and opportunity for the Wallabies to exploit,” McKenzie said. “Will they come together as a group?
“He’s a Kiwi and, while he may understand the Welsh culture, there are all different cultures there and he’s from outside of that so it will be interesting to see how he handles those dynamics.
“You aren’t teaching those players how to play. You’re picking the best of the best so it’s whether you can bring them together as a team and as a group of guys who want to play for each other.”