British and Irish Lions boss Warren Gatland fires perfect response at New Zealand media by donning a red clown nose in post-match press conference

• e-mail

Lions boss Gatland walked into the post-match press conference at Eden Park sporting a fancy dress red clown's nose, in a pointed jibe at the New Zealand Herald.

New Zealand's national newspaper had mocked up Gatland as a caricature clown in the wake of the Lions' first Test defeat.

And New Zealand native Gatland was left unhappy with the media treatment in his homeland.

Lions coach Warren Gatland donned a red nose in his post-match press conference

He was depicted as a cartoon clown on the front of the New Zealand Herald on the tour

'The New Zealand public and fans have taken us to their hearts,' said Gatland. 'It's been a great series.

'What was disappointing for me was how much negativity was out there.

'I think we should embrace this concept of the Lions, I think it's been brilliant. I think a lot of negativity turned the Kiwis off supporting the All Blacks.

'They were very much hoping that we'd do well and that as a team and a tour we'd embrace New Zealand.

'But that's finished now, so we'll just enjoy the next couple of days as a squad and reflect back on what this group of players have achieved.

'Some of these players have been on two tours now and are undefeated as Lions players. Those players who have been on two tours should be very, very proud of their achievements.'

The New Zealand-born Gatland has been disappointed in the negative media in his homeland

Asked to explain the clown nose, Gatland added: 'It was my idea.

'I had it last week but I didn't think it was right time to wear it (after the second Test).'

The Lions' only other drawn series came back in South Africa in 1955. New Zealand stretched their unbeaten run at Eden Park to 40 matches, but were left a little nonplussed by the draw.

Lions boss Gatland insisted he would not have wanted any extra-time to be played, and All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen agreed.

So the Wales coach decided to take matters into his own hands and aim a jibe back

Gatland revealed both he and Steve Hansen were left a little hollow at the shared spoils

Asked if he would have wanted extra time, Gatland said: 'No. This is unusual, yeah, but I think those provisions have to be put in place beforehand.

'I spoke to Steve Hansen and he said it feels a bit like kissing your sister.

'For us to come here and draw a series in New Zealand it feels like some achievement, especially considering we were totally written off with the predictions for a three-nil whitewash.

But conceded his 'unbelievable' group of players have produced some achievement this tour

'And this group of players have shown unbelievable character, it's been a tough tour.'

When New Zealand boss Hansen was asked if he would have wanted extra-time, he said: 'There's no simple answer.

'Look, maybe everyone's a bit hollow today because of the last three minutes.

'There was some really good rugby played, and maybe a drawn series was fair.