Lions 2013: Warren Gatland predicts success in New Zealand

Warren Gatland

Warren Gatland says the British and Irish Lions will repeat their 2013 Test series victory in four years' time.

The Lions ended a 16-year wait for a series win with a 41-16 win over Australia in Sydney on Saturday.

And Gatland, who would consider staying on as coach, believes the Lions will follow it with success in New Zealand.

"Yes, I think if we get things right in terms of the preparation and stuff," said Gatland, when asked if the Lions will prevail on their 2017 tour.

"You've always got to believe that when you go somewhere you go there to win.

"I know we talk about 2005 [New Zealand] being disappointing, and for us the motivation in 2009 [South Africa] was about respect and getting respect back for that jersey.

"The whole focus on this tour was about delivering the Test series win."

It is 42 years since the Lions won a Test series against the All Blacks, although Gatland believes there could be renewed optimism when 2017 comes around.

The success against the Wallabies was achieved with a crop young players like Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Alex Corbisiero, Sam Warburton, Dan Lydiate and Toby Faletau at the heart of the team.

"If you look at how young this squad is, a lot of them could be around in four years' time," Gatland said.

"If they are playing well enough and you have got four more years' experience on some young heads, some young shoulders, and they are in their late 20s, that potentially makes the Lions squad in four years' time incredibly strong.

"That is something to be excited about. The amount of interest it has created, I am sure the sponsors are pretty happy and the people who are involved in negotiating things for the future of the Lions."

Gatland also underlined his existing commitment to Wales, which will see him take them through to World Cup 2015 in England.

"I am committed to Wales for the World Cup," he added

"Now that the Lions has finished, I am really excited about potentially what Wales could achieve with the group of players that we've got, with the talent that we've got.

"I think we've got a chance of doing well in terms of the Six Nations and World Cups.

"After that, after 2015 I will think about my future. I may just hang up the boots and go to the beach, sit down with a glass of red wine and a cigar."