Rugby: Gats gets a blast for not using his bench

Gatland feared a backlash over his use of the bench. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A former Lions player and England stalwart has blasted Warren Gatland for his decision not to use his replacements bench in Tuesday night's match against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

Austin Healey, who represented the Lions in 1997 and 2001, wrote in a column for the Telegraph that Gatland "made a bad situation even worse", with his handling of the so-called "geography six" - calling up Kristian Dacey, Allan Dell, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Gareth Davies and Finn Russell to his touring squad, but refusing to use some of them in the dramatic 31-all draw at Westpac Stadium.

None of Welsh halfback Davies, Scottish prop Francis, Wales hooker Dacey and Wales lock Hill played off the bench against the Hurricanes, and will go home to their respective countries without playing a match on tour.

Scottish prop Dell played last week against the Chiefs as a sinbin replacement for Joe Marler, with Scotland first-five Russell coming on against the Canes as a head injury replacement for Dan Bigger.

Gatland admitted after the game he didn't use his bench to the fullest due to the backlash caused by his decision to bring the players in last week.

The reaction to his reinforcements from their respective touring teams - with many saying it devalued the Lions jersey - forced his hand, Gatland said.

Healey yesterday criticised Gatland, writing he found it "incredible" the Lions' head coach refused to use the players in Wellington.

"Initially I held back from criticising Gatland about calling [them] up ... even if you disagree with the principles involved, the logic is clear," Healey wrote.

"Gatland has dealt with enough of these [issues] before, particularly with the decision to drop Brian O'Driscoll in the last Lions series, so I find it incredible that he refused to use the 'geography six' from the bench except for an injury because of the negative public reaction. If you make the initial decision then you need to have the courage to see it through."

According to Healey, "all of this smacks of poor planning". He also fired shots at the tourists' performance in the first test at Eden Park.

"Hearing the Lions lost the first test because of 'missed opportunities' makes me want to scream. Missed opportunities actually hides the detail which is that the All Blacks are a lot quicker of thought and deed," Healey wrote.

"Elliot Daly couldn't finish his chances because Israel Dagg got back to get his arm under the ball. Think quickly, act quickly. That's what is worrying about the second test - that the All Blacks will not get any slower. The only option is for the Lions to play with more pace everywhere."

Healey did, however, support Gatland's claims the All Blacks used "reckless" tactics on halfback Conor Murray in Auckland.

"The one thing that Gatland was not guilty of was over-reacting to New Zealand's treatment of Conor Murray. If you go for the standing leg like Jerome Kaino did then there's a good chance you are going to break his leg or at the very least cause some ligament damage.

"For [All Blacks coach] Steve Hansen to use the episode to have a pop against Gatland was out of order. My hope is that the squad can use an attack on their coach to galvanise themselves for victory in the second test. That may be clutching at straws but that is all the Lions have at the moment."