SAM THE WARRIOR IS FORCED TO QUIT
IT SEEMS fitting that Sam Warburton’s last act as a professional rugby player was a timely intervention which ensured that a Lions team under his command made history. Again.
The Wales flanker who became a respected, acclaimed openside and leader was forced to announce his retirement yesterday at the age of just 29 after failing to recover sufficiently from the latest in a series of injury setbacks.
After a season out of action following neck and knee surgery, a return to training with Cardiff Blues led Warburton to conclude that his body could no longer allow him to scale the heights again.
His final appearance was momentous. At Eden Park a year ago, with two minutes left in the series decider against the All Blacks, the scores were locked at 15-15 when the hosts were awarded a penalty in front of the Lions’ posts. But referee Romain Poite changed his mind and ordered a scrum instead after Warburton persuaded him to reconsider. The series was tied.
Warburton, modest as ever, said: ‘I just asked him to check for the accidental offside, I can’t really remember what I said. It was a shot to nothing. It was not a penalty offence in my opinion, so I was glad they had a look.’
Wales and the Lions — twice — had cause to be glad that Warren Gatland had a look at him, as a natural leader who had already captained his country at various age-group levels. Warburton became the youngest player to serve as captain in a World Cup game, against South Africa in 2011, at the age of 22 years and 341 days.
That tournament brought a harsh red card early in the semi-final against France. Yet, he showed his mental strength to recover and lead Wales to a Grand Slam and two further Six Nations titles. In all, he was national skipper a record 49 times in 74 Tests and only the second man, after Martin Johnson, to lead the Lions twice — in 2013 and 2017.
Yet, he was about far more than just bringing out the best in others. He was some player — a classical openside ‘groundhog’ capable of poaching possession at rucks, leading defensive rearguards and linking the play with carrying and handling in attack.
Warburton would rise to the grand occasions. As well as his Lions performances, he was immense when Wales subjected England to a title-clinching 30-3 rout in Cardiff five years ago. His qualities as a supreme No 7 placed him among the greats of the era such as Richie McCaw and David Pocock. On his day — and there were many — he was their equal.
Underpinning it all were a grounded, engaging manner, enthusiasm for his work and an eloquence in expressing it which meant Warburton was admired wherever he went. But, sadly, no amount of popularity and goodwill could shield him from the physical toll which led to such a long catalogue of injuries over the years.
Gatland yesterday heralded him as ‘one of the best and most respected players in the world’, and tributes flooded in from all parts. Whichever path he now chooses, he has all the credentials to excel.