Warren Gatland claims 'Deciding test will not define my coaching career'
Warren Gatland has insisted the British and Irish Lions' series decider with New Zealand will not define his coaching career in a bid to heap pressure on the All Blacks.
The Lions can claim just their second-ever series win in New Zealand on Saturday, but must end the All Blacks' 39-match unbeaten run at Eden Park to make history.
New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew has revealed Gatland will be on the shortlist as a potential replacement for current boss Steve Hansen, who is expected to step down following the 2019 World Cup.
But Lions and Wales head coach Gatland has made no plans for his future - and even quipped he could retire from coaching after the next World Cup.
"This game is definitely not career-defining I can promise you that," said Gatland, who has coached Wales since 2007.
"I'm pretty happy with what I've achieved in my career.
"In 2019 after the World Cup maybe I'll finish up and go to the beach and retire."
New Zealand chief Tew has more than once during the Lions tour explained that Kiwi coach Gatland will be in the running to replace Hansen, who has helped the All Blacks win the last two World Cups.
And he told the Daily Mail: "Warren is an outstanding coach, he certainly wants to come back to New Zealand one day and he aspires to be the All Black coach.
"Clearly, he'll be considered."
But Gatland is only interested in what happens on Saturday - where the Lions could notch up their first series win in New Zealand since 1971.
"I'm a great believer in what will be will be; that's the way I've always been," said Gatland.
"I don't think about the future, I don't sit here and plan what I'm going to do in 2019 or what I'm going to do next year.
"Things have just happened for the right reason, or I've been lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time.
"And for me the future will take care of itself.
"I have to believe that, because that's the way I've been. I don't sit and plan and plot what's going to happen.
"If you're successful, wherever you are, then opportunities come your way, and that's the way I look at what will happen over the next couple of years.
"Saturday would be great to win, but then the preparation goes onto the autumn, the Six Nations, and preparing Wales for the World Cup in 2019."
Meanwhile Johnny Sexton will know he is ready for the British and Irish Lions' Test series decider with New Zealand when his pre-match nerves are "worse than ever".
The Ireland fly-half will direct the Lions' back line in tandem with England playmaker Owen Farrell in Saturday's third and final Test in Auckland.
"I struggle sometimes with the nerves but this is once-in-a-lifetime stuff, so you have to treasure it," said Sexton.
"Sometimes they get easier, then other times they are worse than ever - especially when you consider this type of game.
"Potentially it's your last in a Lions shirt as you don't know what is down the line.
"You try and control the nerves the best you can and use them to your advantage. If you weren't nervous I would be pretty worried.