SAM WARBURTON MUST love getting paired up with head coach Warren Gatland for press conferences. The flanker sat alongside the New Zealander for 25 minutes at Carton House this afternoon and spoke, when questioned, on four occasions.
While Gatland was attempting to dead-bat questions about ERC Player of the Year Jonny Wilkinson and ruling Sean O’Brien out of Leinster’s Pro12 Final [unbeknownst to a hopeful Leinster], Warburton chatted amiably about putting squad committees together, learning calls and watching a heap of Super Rugby.
When Gatland defiantly declared he had no doubts about the 24-year-old Welshman leading the British & Irish Lions this summer, perhaps it is because he knew he, as a Kiwi, would draw most of the attention and flak. Warburton’s chief responsibility will be to lead the Lions with the amazing, combative spirit that got Wales to the brink of a World Cup Final in 2011.
His job, in the back row, has been made easier by the injuries that have ruled Australian flankers David Pocock and George Smith out of the upcoming tour. The loss of such star names must give the Lions back row [too good for Chris Robshaw in Gatland's estimation] and edge?
“I don’t think so,” Warburton told TheScore.ie, ”I’ve been watching a lot of Super Rugby lately. I don’t usually watch a lot of rugby but have been watching the Aussie sides a bit and the two 7s they’ve got in the side have been doing great this year.
If they can afford to have an injury in one position, it is probably No. 7. The two guys [Michael Hooper and Liam Gill] they have there now are at the top standard and would be as tough to play against as Smith and Pocock.”
Warburton in training at Carton House today. (©INPHO/Billy Stickland)
While two captaincy candidates, Ryan Jones and Robshaw, were left out of the 37-man group, the Irish favourites of Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll had to content themselves with squad places and hopes of making the starting XV. O’Connell, along with Conor Murray, has been in Lions camp for a week already and, as captain in 2009, is a vital source of advice and guidance for Warburton.
“I roomed with Paul last week and it was more getting to know each other in that first week,” he said.
He has shown, whether he knows it or not, leadership already during that week, whether it is just chatting to players in training or at the end of sessions. For me, personally, that’s great. I welcome that from any player. He’s a great guy to have around.
“I’m sure those guys, from Leicester and Leinster, will add to that when they are around. That experience and leadership to the group. So far, Paul has been a great influence on myself.”
Right now, says Warburton, the excitement levels are under control but he expects that to change once the 37 players board their long haul flight to Hong Kong. Learning the calls, for lineouts, backline moves and more, is now the priority.
The committees, a staple of touring club and international sides, have been drawn up with Jonathan Davies in charge of forfeits and fines [a rolling dice will decide the fate of an unlucky player] and Mike Philips entrusted with the role of tour guide for each new city the players are stationed in during the seven-week tour.
One can only imagine that Ireland’s Cian Healy eagerly volunteering his services as maker of playlists when he hooks up with the squad next Monday.
