The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Reappointment was in the bag for Warburton
Reappointed British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has revealed he was waiting for his wife to finish her shopping when he received the call from head coach Warren Gatland.
The 28-year-old Cardiff flanker will lead the Lions in New Zealand this summer and becomes the second player to be named skipper for two Lions tours, following England World Cup winner Martin Johnson.
His appointment was confirmed by tour manager John Spencer at yesterday’s Lions squad announcement in west London, and comes four years after Warburton captained the Lions in Australia.
“I found out last Thursday,” Warburton said.
“I was in a supermarket car park back home. My wife was just in the shop getting some bread and milk.
“I actually hung up on Gats (Gatland) first of all when I got the call. I thought it was one of the boys messing with me. They had been messing with me for days.
“But then I spoke to Gats, and he asked me.”
Warburton opted to give up the Wales captaincy ahead of this year’s Six Nations to concentrate on improving his form but he said there was no hesitation in accepting the role for the Lions.
“I said yes straight away, it was an easy decision,” Warburton said.
“I have to feel I deserve my place in the Lions team. If I thought I was only scraping to get in the squad and they had asked me to be captain I would have said I don’t think I’m the right person.
“But now I do feel I’m playing well and feel very confident about my game so that’s why I said yes.”
New Zealander Gatland, born in Hamilton, witnessed Wales memorably staring down the New Zealand Haka in 2008 and Warburton suggested the Lions might even try a similar show of unity again.
Warburton has also worked under Gatland playing for Wales, including during their tour of New Zealand last year, and he believes his coach’s inside knowledge could prove decisive.
“It’s interesting because Warren asks us what we’re thinking when we’re standing in front of the Haka or if we’re given a Maori welcome at a school in New Zealand,” Warburton said.
“He tells us what’s going through his mind as a Kiwi. It’s interesting to see their insight compared to ours.”
Warburton, who has won 74 Wales caps and led his country in two World Cup campaigns, is currently injured.
He suffered a medial knee ligament strain during the Blues’ Guinness PRO12 clash against Ulster earlier this month, but is only expected to be sidelined for up to six weeks.