Lions Tour 2017: Warren Gatland takes aim at All Blacks warning them: ‘I want to smash the c**p out of you!’

LIONS boss Warren Gatland took dead aim at the All Blacks and warned them: “I want to smash the c**p out of you!”

Tough-talking Kiwi Gatland leads his Lions in New Zealand next summer — looking for his first win against the double World Cup winners.

After his Lions smashed Australia in 2013, Gatland is not afraid of Steve Hansen’s formidable side, who have not lost a Test at Eden Park in 22 years.

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Gatland said: “Going down there next year with the Lions, I want to smash the c**p out of them.

“I’m desperate to beat the All Blacks.

“I want that on my CV. We need to go to New Zealand with the belief that we can win because it is such a tough country to go and tour.”

Gatland was in Chicago on Saturday to see Ireland’s first win against the All Blacks in 111 years.

This weekend he will be at Twickenham to see England host South Africa,  as he  searches for a new breed of Lion to take on the southern hemisphere heavyweights.

Gatland, currently on a sabbatical from his post as Wales boss, added: “Last week was an opportunity for the first players to put their hands up — and we have seen a number of Irish players do that.

“It was incredible to go out there and beat the All Blacks.

“And it’s a really big weekend of games this week. It’s the first stepping stone of players making an impression before backing it up in the Six Nations.”