Roberts was additionally concerned in a controversial Lions second.
Former Eire captain Brian O’Driscoll performed within the first two Assessments towards Australia in 2013, however was overlooked for the deciding match, inflicting shockwaves within the rugby world.
O’Driscoll, a Lions captain in 2005, was tipped by many to steer the workforce for the decider with Sam Warburton out injured.
As a substitute, Gatland opted to go for his Wales centre pairing of Roberts, who missed the primary two Assessments due to harm, and Jonathan Davies.
Roberts’ harm meant Davies began the primary two Assessments at inside centre as an alternative of out of doors centre, and his transfer into O’Driscoll’s 13 shirt put him within the firing line.
“One factor I’ve huge respect for with Warren Gatland is that he wasn’t one for sentimentality,” Roberts recalled.
“That was Warren by and thru. He shut out the surface noise and believed in what his ears heard and eyes noticed.
“BOD [Brian O’Driscoll] by his personal admission wasn’t good in that Take a look at sequence. In 2009 he was good and in 2013 he was enjoying nicely however not like in 2001 and 2009.
“I made myself match and Warren, with the Take a look at sequence within the steadiness, noticed energy in choosing a well-recognized Welsh backbone.
“He noticed previous the sentiment and the necessity to fulfill the 4 nations and BOD’s final Take a look at as a Lions nice.
“Jon [Davies] sat on the bus beside me and mentioned ‘I’m going to take some stick right here’ and there was a Fb web page known as ‘Justice for BOD’ with 1,000,000 likes.
“Fortunately for me Jon took all of the flack.”
Gatland’s name got here up trumps as a Lions aspect that includes 10 Welshmen within the beginning XV thumped the Wallabies 41-16 to clinch the sequence, with Roberts scoring the ultimate strive.
