WARREN GATLAND will wield the axe in selection if the British and Irish Lions do not cut out their indiscipline, Graham Rowntree has warned.

The Lions edged past 14-man New Zealand 24-21 in Wellington on Saturday night to square the three-Test series at one win apiece.

The All Blacks had to do without Sonny Bill Williams for almost an hour after the Blues centre was sent off for a head-high shoulder-charge tackle on Anthony Watson.

The Lions were almost hamstrung by conceding 13 penalties at the Westpac Stadium though, leaving assistant coach Rowntree to predict a lengthy inquest on discipline in the build-up to Saturday’s series decider in Auckland.

“We’ve got to sort it out, as coaches we’ve got to show the players,” said Rowntree of the Lions’ second Test indiscipline. 

“We show them every day. We sit there and show them that we can’t be doing this.

“It’s all about what you do under fatigue in the heat of the battle.

“All we can do is keep reiterating that to the players.

“You’ve got to sit down and look at it in the cold light of day. We can’t 
lose a Test series on the back of some stupid penalties. That would be unacceptable. How would you live with that for the rest of your life?”

Asked if the second Test indiscipline could lead to selection changes for the series decider at Eden Park, Rowntree replied: “Potentially, if that’s what it takes.

“Because I think Gats has shown he’s not afraid to do that. We’ll just be very frank about that with the players. The pictures are undeniable, some of them.”

The Lions now head to Queenstown to recuperate after two bruising Test matches, with Rowntree backing that decision.

Gatland’s men must end New Zealand’s 39-match unbeaten streak at Eden Park to claim just the Lions’ second-ever Test series win in 
New Zealand.

The Lions fuelled the underdog fire to edge past the All Blacks in the second Test as they squared the series after admitting being outmuscled in their 30-15 first Test defeat.

But now Rowntree insists the Lions can raise their levels again – and that their best rugby is yet to come.

“We’re not playing at our best yet, there’s so much more left in us,” said Rowntree. “That will drive us on.”

Asked how the Lions summon the same mental fight without the underdogs tag, Rowntree continued: “Because there’s a series in the balance.

“How many of these guys have won a Lions series in New Zealand? And what excites the guys is that there’s more to come in our game.

“After the first Test they were down, hurting. But now they’ve had a taste of it and they want to get the job done.”

Sean O’Brien says he is looking forward to rejoining the Lions squad after a citing complaint against him was dismissed.

The Ireland flanker is free to play in next Saturday’s Test series decider against New Zealand.

O’Brien was reported by match citing commissioner Scott Nowland for allegedly striking New Zealand wing Waisake Naholo with his arm during Saturday’s second Test.

O’Brien denied he committed an offence during a lengthy three-man judicial hearing in Wellington yesterday, with the citing complaint subsequently being thrown out.

In a response issued to the verdict by the Lions, O’Brien said: “Firstly, I hope Waisake is OK. “I would like to thank the panel for carefully considering the case, and I am looking forward to rejoining the whole squad to prepare for the final Test.”

And Lions head coach Warren Gatland added: “We would like to thank the panel for their professional and diligent approach. Sean is a tough but fair player, and we are pleased that the panel dismissed the citing.”

The Lions, fresh from a 24-21 second Test victory over the All Blacks in Wellington, have now decamped to the Southern Alps’ tourist hot-spot of Queenstown for a few days’ rest and recuperation. And the O’Brien news is a huge boost for the Lions as they target victory in Auckland next weekend, which would give them a first Test series triumph against New Zealand since 1971.

Uncompromising Leinster forward O’Brien impressed in the second Test victory, and he is set to be a key part of Gatland’s plans as they go for glory at Eden Park.

Speaking ahead of the hearing, Lions assistant coach Graham Rowntree paid O’Brien a glowing compliment.

“Sean had an outstanding game carrying the ball for us on Saturday,” Rowntree said. 

“He’s the barometer of our energy and aggression in the game; his ball pressure, his tackling, his carrying. He’s been outstanding.”