Warren Gatland has claimed his All Black counterpart Steve Hansen will be a worried man after the British & Irish Lions’ commanding 32-10 win over the Maori All Blacks. The Lions forwards squeezed the home pack into submission and believe they can push New Zealand to the limit in Saturday’s first Test at Eden Park.

The Lions have spent large chunks of this tour on the back foot media-wise with Hansen suggesting, among other things, that time was running out for the touring team to stitch together a cohesive Test side. Following his side’s powerful display Gatland wondered aloud if Hansen is starting to feel the pressure. “I’m surprised by Steve Hansen, who is normally pretty calm,” said the Lions coach. “He has been doing a lot of press conferences and I can only take that as a sign of respect that he is a little bit worried.

“It’s unlike Steve and maybe he is worried by potentially how good this team can be. We know we have got a big step up to play the All Blacks, but all I can say is that this could be a great series with fantastic rugby. Everyone should get excited.”

Hansen has also queried the Lions’ decision to call up six additional players as midweek bench cover, suggesting it would split the camp and cause discord. Many Lions fans agree with him, unhappy that the Welshmen Cory Hill, Kristian Dacey, Gareth Davies and Tomas Francis and Scotland’s Finn Russell and Allan Dell have been preferred to other players because they are geographically closer. Gatland insists there is absolutely no truth in Hansen’s belief. “There is no way we are divided into two,” said Gatland, also denying accusations the Lions jersey has been cheapened. “In terms of devaluing the shirt I can see some people’s point but we’re here to win a Test series.

“It’s about guys not travelling halfway around the world. We found it difficult in the first 10 days when we were here in terms of jet lag and time difference. Players coming from Auckland and Australia will be able to fit in quickly. They’re there for bench cover and they understand that role. A few of those players were probably unlucky they weren’t in contention in the first place. We’ve made the decision that we think is the best decision for us. I don’t think you can back up on Tuesday and then win the game on Saturday. I’ll do whatever it takes to win a Test series.”

Among the senior players bypassed by fringe internationals such as Hill, Dell and Dacey are Joe Launchbury, Marcus Horan and Dylan Hartley but Gatland has rejected Eddie Jones’s observation that additional players should have been picked on merit. “I’ll let Eddie do his own talking, he does plenty of it,” Gatland said. “I understand Eddie’s concern but I just know how difficult it is doing that journey from Argentina.

“We’ve said all along it’s all about the Test series, it’s about winning the Test series and that’s what we need to do. We’ve been written off and far from people saying it is splitting us, I think that’s brought us closer together as a group. We’re very close. If Steve Hansen knows what’s going on from outside he’s a much better man than I am.”

Jonathan Sexton, meanwhile, believes New Zealanders still do not totally respect the Lions despite their impressive wins over the Crusaders and the Maori. The fly-half said: “I don’t think so, no. The only way you earn their respect is by beating them.”

The management are optimistic Owen Farrell will be available for the first Test. “We’re hopeful Owen’s going to be OK,” Gatland said. “At a pinch he probably could have played but the ground was quite heavy. For us it was important we didn’t take that risk.”