LONDON (Reuters) - Ireland's victory over the All Blacks last year was key to convincing the British and Irish Lions that they can win in New Zealand and that the double world champions are human after all, coach Warren Gatland said on Wednesday.
Ireland ended New Zealand's world record 18-match winning streak with a 40-29 victory in Chicago last November, and with several of the team included in the 41-man Lions squad as well as Andy Farrell reprising his Ireland defence coach role for the Lions, Gatland said the result was a huge psychological help.