British & Irish lions New Zealand tour update

Sam Warburton’s first interview since being named as the 2017 Lions captain

British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland recently announced his squad selection for their 2017 tour down under to New Zealand. Gatland has named 16 English, 12 Welsh, 11 Irish, and 2 Scottish players to his 41-man Lions squad to tackle the All Blacks in the summer. Gatland named Sam Warburton as British & Irish Lions Captain for the tour. Warburton is only the second man to captain the Lions on two separate tours. Martin Johnson was the other. Twenty-two year old Maro Itoje is the youngest member of the 41-man squad. Brothers Mako and Billy Vunipola will both travel to New Zealand for the tournament, so this will be the second consecutive tour that the Lions squad will have brothers included. (Tom and Ben Youngs went on the tour in 2013). Gatland talked about the battle for a spot on the 2017 Lions Tour. “We had some pretty lively debates, but we’re really excited about the team we’ve put together. Looking back, we think it’s a stronger squad. We’re excited about the talent of the team we’re taking to NZ.”

“The competition for places, there’s going to be players fighting for Test spots,” said Gatland. “There are no clear favorites for certain positions. The midweek games tend to be a little easier but the quality of the opposition will be hugely challenging which is why we’ve selected a few more players than 2013. I think there’s been healthy debate about the squad. It’s an incredible traditional team and we want everyone to be supportive and behind the team.” Gatland was asked why he selected Warburton as captain. “I think he’s the right man for the job,” replied Gatland. “It was a tough call and there’s going to be other players who need to provide leadership to support Sam who did a great job in 2013.” Here are exerts from Sam Warburton’s first interview since being named as the Lions captain for a second time. Captain Sam Warburton was asked about having players in the squad who have beaten the titan New Zealand All Blacks in the past.

“They’re the only team I haven’t beaten and I’d love to do it,” replied Warbuton. “People would look at it as a bad thing but I would never take the field thinking that. There’s always a first for something. I was chatting to an ex-Kiwi international and they just see everything as a level playing field. There’s no home or away advantage. You respect them for what they are but it’s just a game of rugby at the end of the day. Every time you take the field, you’ve got a chance to win.”

Warburton next was asked about Ireland's win against the New Zealand All Blacks last year. “I could see it when I was watching it myself, tactically what they were trying to do,” said Warbuton. “It’s one thing saying what you want to do, it’s another thing actually doing it. What was impressive was the breakdowns were ferocious and you know you’ll have to score tries.” Sam Warburton commented on the differences between the 2011 World Cup and the upcoming Lions tour. “As a Welsh team, we went there under the radar. I think it’ll be more intense this time around,” added Welshman Warburton. “All the pressure was on New Zealand back then, but this time around I think the pressure will be a lot more on the Lions. I’ve always really enjoyed playing in New Zealand. Australia is different.”

“When we look at GPS data when we play Six Nations games and, for example, when Wales played out there last year, we covered up to a kilometer more than in a Six Nations game,” continued Warburton about the extremely popular Six Nations Tournament. “You’re going to have to factor for that extra kilometer. You’re going to have to train from that. Ball in play is probably going to be higher than what we’re used to. To play those franchises during the start of the tour, hopefully we’ll experience that intensity.” Warren Gatland is a Kiwi. Warburton commented on what it is like being coached by a Kiwi to compete with the All Blacks and face their Haka.“It’s interesting having their insight and when we went to New Zealand with Warren last year, he asked us what we’re thinking when we stand in front of the Haka and he tells us what’s going through his mind as a Kiwi. I think that’s interesting. I’m sure there will be some good insight from Warren.”

Warburton revealed how long he will be out of action with his injury. “I’ll be 100% fit for the start of the tour. “I have an ongoing joke with the physios,” said Warburton. “I get similar injuries so I can almost diagnose myself. I’ve done that injury in the past and it’s never kept me out for more than eight weeks. I tweaked it, tried to run on. I had the scan straight away and they said it’ll be six weeks.” Captain Sam Warburton gave his opinion on the Lions' chances against New Zealand this summer. “Yeah great, said Warburton. Players don’t need motivation to go to New Zealand, they’ll think like that naturally. I think it was good for the fans that Ireland beat New Zealand. I think that ignited the belief in fans. It’ll be the toughest challenge we’ve ever faced. Warburton talked about the rugby leaders in the Lions squad. “When you pick the best players from four countries, it happened four years ago, the two 10s were great - barking orders,” replied Warburton. “You get that all over the park. I won’t even have to prompt players; there are natural leaders in there. There are plenty of guys there who could have the armband.”  

What is it like to be named captain for the Lions? “I found out last Thursday. I was in a supermarket car park. I didn’t want to go in as the cashier loves rugby so my wife went in to get some bread and milk. I genuinely didn’t know but he asked me last Thursday,” said Warburton. “I think I hung up on Gats first because the boys from Cardiff Blues have been winding me up for weeks. It’s hard to put into words. Even four years later, the 2013 tour hasn’t sunk in. We had a dinner last night with previous captains and it really hit home as to how big a deal with it, especially with New Zealand.”

“I said yes straight away. It was an easy decision,” said Warburton. People were wondering why I wasn’t Welsh captain but it all goes back to making sure you’re playing well. I didn’t feel I was playing my best rugby. Now I’m pleased with my form it makes that decision a lot easier.”

“I’m a lot more relaxed this time around,” continued Warburton. “I found it really tough in 2013. I was only 24. Now I feel that, you look at the squad, I feel like a young player but I look at the squad and think, wow, I’m one of the more experienced guys here. I’m a lot more comfortable this time around. It’s difficult. If I wasn’t playing well now, I would have said I don’t think I’m the right guy to do it. But now I’m playing well, I’m confident in my game, that’s why I said yes. It’s definitely the top of my list. It’s been the biggest honor that I’ve had. 2013 was amazing. This time around, to go to New Zealand, is big.” Warburton talked about New Zealand's weaknesses. “There’s not many!” laughed Warburton. “You’ve got to do everything well to beat the All Blacks. I don’t think there’s one aspect of the game, you have to be on the money everywhere. I think they’re that good. They’ve got a great record at home. We’ve got to use those warm-up games as best we can to get the combinations working and everyone up to speed.” Andy Farrell commented on Sam Warburton being named captain of the Lions again. “Sam Warburton did a great job as captain in 2013,” said Farrell. “He is a doer who leads by his actions and attitude. He is tough and abrasive on the field and when he speaks, which isn’t too often, he is accurate and gauges the mood of the group. He allows the rest of the group to grow. There isn’t just noise coming from him. I feel he is a perfect choice for this tour.”

Defense coach Andy Farrell was asked how the Lions deal with pressure on tour. “We want everyone in the squad to want to be number one in their position, added Farrell. “When you are looking at the guys training, traveling and training, and the pressure that goes with big games, you will see who is dealing with the pressure within the moment. It’s 100 percent different on a Lions tour. You have to be at your best in New Zealand. We have a bunch of winners and competition for places is going to be our best friend on this tour. It breeds character and respect. It’s a massive challenge but we’ve got a group of winners. Those lads won’t just accept being the squad, they want to be on a winning tour.”

Full Lions Squad

Backs
 Dan Biggar, Elliot Daly, Jonathan Davies, Owen Farrell (England), Leigh Halfpenny (Wales), Robbie Henshaw (Ireland), Stuart Hogg (Scotland), Jonathan Joseph (England), Conor Murray (Ireland), George North (Wales), Jack Nowell (England), Jared Payne (Ireland), Jonathan Sexton (Ireland), Tommy Seymour (Scotland), Ben Te’o (England), Anthony Watson (England), Rhys Webb (Wales), Liam Williams (Wales), Ben Youngs (England).

Forwards
 Rory Best (Ireland), Dan Cole (England), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Tadhg Furlong (Ireland), Jamie George (England), Iain Henderson (Ireland), Maro Itoje (England), Alun Wyn Jones (Wales), George Kruis (England), Courtney Lawes (England), Joe Marler (England), Jack McGrath (Ireland), Ross Moriarty (Wales), Sean O’Brien (Ireland), Peter O’Mahony (Ireland), Ken Owens (Wales), Kyle Sinckler (England), CJ Stander (Ireland), Justin Tipuric (Wales), Mako Vunipola (England), Billy Vunipola (England), Sam Warburton (Wales).

British & Irish Lions Tour Schedule, Fixtures, Tickets

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