Don’t play it again, Sam
WARBURTON CALLS TIME AT JUST 29
SAM WARBURTON has handed Wales a massive World Cup blow by quitting rugby.
The two-time Lions captain missed the whole of last season after undergoing surgery on his neck and knee.
Warburton attempted to return to training with Cardiff Blues, but his body has been unable to respond to the demands.
He has now decided to call time on his career and won’t feature for his country at next year’s global showpiece in Japan.
Warburton said: “Unfortunately, after a long period of rest and rehabilitation, the decision to retire from rugby has been made with my health and wellbeing as a priority.
“My body is unable to give me back what I had hoped for on my return to training. I always dreamed of playing for my hometown club Cardiff Blues, Wales and the Lions.
“Countless people work behind the scenes in professional rugby, but I would like to thank the fantastic medical teams who have looked after me throughout my career.
“As one chapter finishes, another begins, and I’ll enter it with the same level of passion and determination as the last.” Warburton skippered the Lions to a Test series victory over Australia in 2013 and then a 1-1 draw with backto-back world champions New Zealand last summer.
Capped 74 times by Wales and a further five by the Lions, Warburton led his country a record 49 times.
The 29-year-old back-row star will go down as one of Wales’ greatest players, having won a Grand Slam and a Six Nations title.
His retirement means Wales head coach Warren Gatland will be unable to call on one of his best players.
He said: “It is hugely disappointing Sam has retired. He is an outstanding rugby player and he has brought so much to the game on and off the pitch.
“He finishes with a record he should be extremely proud of and he should look back on his career with huge pride.
“I hope he can take the time to reflect on a magnificent career and I hope he gets as much pleasure from whatever he does next as he delivered to the people of Wales and the wider rugby public.”