Neck op denies Sam tilt at the All Blacks

SAM WARBURTON has been cruelly denied another shot at the All Blacks this year, as the man who led the Lions to an epic series draw in New Zealand faces four months out after neck surgery.

The Wales captain, whose career has been plagued by injury, is once again gearing up for an extended, frustrating period of rest and rehabilitation.

Cardiff Blues confirmed yesterday that their acclaimed flanker — who has not played this season — has ‘exacerbated’ a recurring neck problem in training and requires an operation.

Although the 28-year- old has played 74 Tests for his country, he has missed out on countless others and will be absent from Wales’s autumn series against Australia, Georgia, New Zealand and South Africa.

In light of events with the Lions, Warburton would have especially relished another chance to take on the world champion All Blacks, but now he will have to settle for returning to fitness in time for the Six Nations early next year.

‘It’s a major blow for all concerned — for Cardiff Blues and Wales,’ said his regional head coach Danny Wilson yesterday. ‘It is a long-standing issue.

‘The feeling was that two months off would help it settle completely. He came back feeling confident and went through the protocols when he came back to training, but during the contact element it began to flare up. He is obviously extremely frustrated.’

In the enforced absence of Warburton, Justin Tipuric is destined to continue in the Wales No 7 shirt.