Sam Warburton Interview

T. M. Lewin have been unveiled as the new suppliers of formal wear for the WRU. The deal will run until 2018 and T. M. Lewin will therefore be the supplier of formal wear for the national squad at the 2015 World Cup. After the formalities of announcing the deal were dealt with, the players spoke to the media about the recent tour of South Africa. The side left the country with one midweek win and two test defeats. With Cory Allen, Sam Warburton and Jon Davies all suited and booted, they were ready speak on a range of topics.

Jon Davies, Sam Warburton and Cory Allen at the partnership launch

   Unfortunately the topic on most people lips was the injury to Owen Williams. The young Blues centre and often midfield partner of Cory Allen, has suffered a significant injury to his cervical vertebrae and spinal cord whilst playing in the world club tens tournament in Singapore. Warburton, like the rest of the rugby world, has “been kept in the dark on Owen's condition.” However, he told me that all the squad had sent personal messages to the family. It brought home the physicality of rugby and just how dangerous the game is today. Warburton said that “it’s scary” and has made him wonder about his own safety on the field. With the incident involving Williams, having no hint of malice.

  

   Sam Warburton’s own injury, a dislocated shoulder, is recovering well and he will be fit for the start of the new season. For the first time in a succession of injuries, he will not be rushing back to play before the injury is fully fixed. Warburton informed me that he is already taking part in some contact training, so the shoulder is very much on the mend. He asserted that he will “definitely be with the Blues” next year, he has been in pre-season training with the region for the last two weeks and will play for them next year “as far as he is concerned.”

Suited and booted

   Sam Warburton missed the tour to South Africa and was instead confined to the pundit’s studio. The Welsh flanker was very impressed with what he saw and said that he was “encouraged by the team’s performance.” Warburton also singled out Josh Turnbull, as a player who “did great in the second test.” Turnbull has the seal of approval from Wales’ flanker of choice and the two flankers could play in tandem next season, following Turnbull's move to the Arms Park. Another back-rower to receive the Warburton seal of approval was Andy Powell. The British Lion has returned from a short stint in Rugby League and Warburton believes he will be an “awesome signing for the Dragons”; he also described Powell as a “really good trainer”, something that may surprise many.

  

 After watching the Wales tour in great detail he knows just how painful the final test was to watch. However, Warburton takes the positives from that result and says that “we know we are good enough to beat them now.” When asked on how Wales improved so much in a week, he said that it was all down to the mentality. With Warburton believing that a week is not enough time “to improve skills, fitness or strength, mind-set is the only thing that can be changed.”

   The flanker relinquished the captaincy on the South Africa tour with Alun-Wyn Jones taking the job on. Barry John and others have spoken out since, saying that Jones should get the position for good. Warburton is aware of this and knows “he can’t walk round the street calling himself the captain of Wales.” The Blues flanker knows that he is not the current captain but he does not lose sleep over the issue. However, talking to him you get the feeling that he would jump at the chance to reclaim the title.