READY FOR A FACE-OFF
Fit-again skipper Warburton inspires his side to defy the odds
SAM WARBURTON has his Lions squad believing they can shock rugby and take the prized scalp of New Zealand.
The Wales forward last night won his race to be fit to captain the tourists in their opener against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on Saturday.
And Taulupe Faletau, who has reached a World Cup semi-final and won a Lions series alongside Warburton, says it is a significant turn of events.
“Within the squad, we believe we have a good team capable of winning out here,” said Faletau. “Whether it be warm-up games or the series, we really do believe that.
“Sam is our captain and brings with him expectations which he puts on to the team. So, to have him on the field is great for us. Everybody’s expectation now is to do a good job.”
The Lions are odds-on to lose the series 3-0, just as they did in 2005. They have not won at Auckland’s Eden Park, where two of the three Tests are played, since the game turned professional in the 1990s.
And Billy Vunipola, their greatest weapon, is crocked.
“Losing Billy is a huge blow, I’m not going to deny it,” added Faletau (right). “But the quality of back-rows we have here are more than capable of covering. Sam is always calm, always good, always leading by example. He’s settled into the captaincy more and more as the years have gone on.” Paul O’Connell agrees and knows what it takes to make a Lions skipper, having held the office on the 2009 tour of South Africa. “It’s a difficult job,” he said. “At the start, the whole group doesn’t know you and has no reason to trust you. But Sam didn’t try to be what he wasn’t in Australia in 2013, where being captain of a winning series rightly elevated his status.
“And against Ireland this year, he was relentless. He kept showing up, making big tackles, getting turnovers and carrying for yardage.
“Look, 2017 is close to an impossible mission,” added O’Connell. “But if the Lions get it right, they’ll spring a major shock.
“They have the potential for an amazing starting XV – technically and tactically very good. I only hope they have the time to come together and gel.”
Warren Gatland’s squad only arrived in New Zealand yesterday, 72 hours before opening up in Whangarei.
“Jet lag will not be an excuse,” said Warburton, who has not played since suffering a knee injury two months ago.
“I’ve probably had more sleep in the last three days than at home because of my 11-month old baby.”