Warburton Interview the fight for the seven shirt is on...!

This year will see more competition in Wales for the flanks of the welsh backrow Thames have seen in forty years.

Can Warburton hold on to his shirt and Captaincy?

A marvel at the RWC, but a great deal has passed since.





SAM WARBURTON has admitted he is under pressure from Justin Tipuric for the Wales No.7 jersey, but says a summer of physical and mental recharging has fired him up for whatever comes his way in the new season.

The 25-year-old returned from the summer tour to Australia shouldering the burden of a 3-0 series whitewash and, for the first time in his career, questions about his own place in the national side.

Those questions were fuelled by the swashbuckling form of fellow openside Tipuric, with some pundits believing the young Osprey’s performance levels demanded he be included at the expense of the captain.

But Warburton also retained the support of a sizeable section of observers, who pointed to the class and leadership qualities he displayed that did so much to inspire Wales to a World Cup semi-final place and a Six Nations Grand Slam.

The debate – music to the ears of the Welsh management – will rumble on into the new campaign, but it won’t distract Warburton who says he welcomes the rivalry.

And the Blues flanker stressed his top priority moving forward is looking after his body, so that it doesn’t end up “creaking” in the way it did during the second half of last season, which finished with him having sat out two and a half months of action because of nerve damage in his shoulder.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t under pressure, but it is great that we have someone like Justin,” said Warburton at the Blues’ stand at the National Eisteddfod in Llandow yesterday.

“I played with him in the under-20s and on the sevens circuit and I’ve seen him come through the Ospreys academy, I knew what a talent he was before anyone else did.

“It didn’t surprise me when the Ospreys named him captain because he is a very influential figure, a very professional guy who gets on with everybody.

“He is a great player and it is great for us as a nation to have a lot of competition for places.

“A few years ago people said we had just a strong XV, but now we have a strong 30.

“Great Welsh players seem to be coming through the system.

“But I’ve come back to pre-season mentally fresh and, although it gets tougher every year, it has felt pretty good so far.

“I actually feel hungry to play again. Five weeks is enough time off.”

Be that as it may, it seems clear that Warburton, like many of his international team-mates, felt badly in need of down-time on returning from a frustrating month in Australia.

Leigh Halfpenny admitted in these pages just days ago that he locked his boots away for over a month and tried to think about anything other than rugby.

Warburton added: “It was a very long season, but in the time I’ve had off I put my feet up, stayed away from rugby and didn’t do anything.

“I reflected on last season and now I’m really motivated for the time ahead.

“When it comes to playing the big Blues and Wales games, getting yourself up for them mentally does take quite a bit out of you.

“That is why a break is a great chance to refresh. I got rid of a lot of the niggles I had and my knees, for example, feel better than they have for some time.

“But when I got back from Australia I wanted to...not forget about it because you always have to learn from your experiences....but I certainly didn’t want to dwell on it, it was my time off and I didn’t want to think about it and become emotional about it.

“I tried to refocus on the pre-season and I imagine when we get back with Wales in the autumn I will analyse what happened against them in June in much more detail.”

By then Warburton is likely to be at the forefront of the Welsh attempt to finally put one over the Wallabies, not to mention break a 59-year losing run against the All Blacks, who also come to the Millennium Stadium.

Nobody can account for the slings and arrows of injury misfortune in a sport like rugby, and a position as attritional as that which Warburton plays in.

But he is determined to manage himself in a way that prevents his season becoming truncated by spells on the treatment table.

“I played eight games on the bounce for the Blues after the World Cup and then I went into the Six Nations struggling a bit, if I’m honest,” added Warburton.

“I played a lot of rugby before January. From then on I tried to get through a lot of physio work, but my body was creaking.

“That’s why the rest this summer was so important. It would be nice this season to play more games for the Blues and a lot of the boys feel the same.

“To miss the quarter-final of the Heineken Cup last season was especially frustrating.

“But pre-season with the Blues has been brilliant so far and I haven’t heard any player say a bad word about it.

“The culture is nearer the culture we have with Wales, everyone has bought into it.

“When we came back we saw video clips of how hard the boys have been working and there was vomiting and crawling on the floor, all sorts.

“That gave us a taste of what it would be like.

“But we enjoy training if we know that a few months down the line we’ll reap the benefits.”

It’s easy to forget that Warburton hasn’t long completed a full calendar year in the post of Wales skipper, and one that, on the whole, has been extraordinarily successful.

He says he’s grown into it, but can still get better.

“It has flown by. This time last year we were just coming back from our second camp in Poland,” he reflected.

“I always wanted to achieve good things, but I didn’t think the captaincy would happen so quickly.

“The hard thing now will be to back it up and have another good season.

“I’ll do all I can to make sure that happens.

“I don’t get as nervous as I used to. I’m comfortable with being the Wales captain whereas it used to put me off.

“The role doesn’t bother me. My focus is more on my performance.

“You can always improve and I feel I have developed a bit thanks to the help I have had from senior players.”

So what of the burning issue of Lions selection, a topic that is certain to be aired in so many conversations between journalists and players before next summer’s Warren Gatland-led tour

Warburton, not surprisingly, is non-committal.

“It is difficult because I don’t want to jinx myself,” he said.

“It is a bit of a cliche, but I just want to take each game as it comes.

“As long as I can stay fit and play well I’m in with a shout and that’s my priority this season, to stay on the pitch.

“People talk about the Lions, but a lot can happen before then.

“There are big games to play for the Blues first, then hopefully Wales and so on.

“It’s one step at a time.”



http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/08/10/wales-skipper-sam-warburton-admits-pressure-from-justin-tipuric-for-wales-shirt-91466-31588992/#ixzz237Y3wpYf

As an out and out player i would say that Justin Tipuric is slightly better but not by much. That said, as a player on the whole Sam Warburton is the better player due to his leadership qualities on and off the field.

Lets see how they go this season. I think they are two very different players who approach their roles in a completely different way.

Great for Wales to have such good competition. Turnbull is no slouch either.

Its a pretty good headache to have for the Welsh selectors thats for sure

The Warbmeister wrote:“It is difficult because I don’t want to jinx myself,” he said.

“It is a bit of a cliche, but I just want to take each game as it comes.

“As long as I can stay fit and play well I’m in with a shout and that’s my priority this season, to stay on the pitch.

“People talk about the Lions, but a lot can happen before then.

“There are big games to play for the Blues first, then hopefully Wales and so on.

“It’s one step at a time.”

These are absolute textbook 'saying nothing' interview soundbites. Sam will go far in this game He even admits he's spouting cliches and then throws about five more in. Respect!

I think parts of this interview is indicative of what many of these professional players would say and experience.

Our bodies aren't designed to take so much punishment over a season.

The IRB is goint to have to rethink player welfare alongside with clubs national unions etc.

When you look at how seldom international teams have their best 22 in a match it becomes increasingly clearer that player's bodies and their future careerscare becoming more uncertain every year.

biltong, players are way too over-developed these days. The problem then becomes two-fold as they put too much pressure on their bodies (through carrying too much weight for their basic structure) and from smashing into each other over and over.

Increased fitness levels can also have a long-term detrimental effect as players can push themselves too hard for too long. Joints, sinews etc can't cope.

It's not just about too many games, though obviously that's a big factor.

Yeah, look it is a culmination of all the pressure put on their bodies, training too hard, starting training before the body has healed after an injury, knocks, bruises, no resting time etc.

All plays a part

eirebilly wrote:Its a pretty good headache to have for the Welsh selectors thats for sure

There's some talented youngsters coming through at Blues, Scarlets and Ospreys too. The academies are working overtime.

Even Warburtons deputy Josh Nalvidi is a hell of a talent.

Dragons have Waters at 7 a very good prospect, I see Lewis Evans playing 6 during the AI and 6N with Lydiate being away with Wales.

Will Lewis move to 7 when lydiate is at 6 do you think?

The thing is its realistic to do something to limit the number of games elite players play. its not relaistic to expect them to stop getting fit or trying.
The IRB has done a lot of research and implemented law changes to reduce the number of severity of injuries in the game by limiting the most dangerous types of contact. We cant really expect them to put in limit on how much of your maximum effort youre allowed to put into a tackle.

Its always more depressing to fail after building yourself up so big. It looks like its taken 5 weeks for him to get over the 3 - 0 whitewashing given to him by the aussies. Still he's through it now so all's well that end's well.

englandglory4ever wrote:Its always more depressing to fail after building yourself up so big. It looks like its taken 5 weeks for him to get over the 3 - 0 whitewashing given to him by the aussies. Still he's through it now so all's well that end's well.

Yet another 'smallest' comment from V2's very own 'smallest' poster. Speaking of whitewashes, why don't you remind us of your 2-0 whitewash against Wales. How many tries did you score again? Too bad you couldn't get your favoured draw via Strettles imaginary try!

maestegmafia wrote:Will Lewis move to 7 when lydiate is at 6 do you think?

I think he will (he is captain I believe), as Lydiate and Faletau will be nailed on for 6 and 8.

Biltong wrote:Yeah, look it is a culmination of all the pressure put on their bodies, training too hard, starting training before the body has healed after an injury, knocks, bruises, no resting time etc.

All plays a part

It all starts when players are about 14/15 and told to bulk up far over their natural body mass, and the weight their body should be carrying. It means there's too much pressure on their joints and spine from a young age when they are still developing. You combine this with all players being faster with increased stamina and you get huge hits going in repeatedly from a young age.

I dread to think what Roberts and North are going to be like in their 40s and 50s!

It's a shame not only from a player welfare point of view (which should be the most important factor) but also because it severly impacts the players skills, agility and passing/handling skills at a young age, when they should be very fast and agile.

Maybe if the IRB could somehow discourage the 'bulking' up of youth players, then by the time they break through to the senior/reserve sides they will be fast, agile and smaller. This could reduce the impacts of tackles and hopefully encourage the more running rugby of the past.

englandglory4ever wrote:Its always more depressing to fail after building yourself up so big. It looks like its taken 5 weeks for him to get over the 3 - 0 whitewashing given to him by the aussies. Still he's through it now so all's well that end's well.

Good to see you approve in your own inimitable way.

It is always heartwarming to read about your concern for others.

"Maybe if the IRB could somehow discourage the 'bulking' up of youth players, then by the time they break through to the senior/reserve sides they will be fast, agile and smaller."

What planet are u on? It sure ain't this one.

englandglory4ever wrote:"Maybe if the IRB could somehow discourage the 'bulking' up of youth players, then by the time they break through to the senior/reserve sides they will be fast, agile and smaller."

What planet are u on? It sure ain't this one.

Insults are usually reserved for after you've exposed the opposition party's 'otherworldly' logic. So where's your half of the argument?

englandglory4ever wrote:"Maybe if the IRB could somehow discourage the 'bulking' up of youth players, then by the time they break through to the senior/reserve sides they will be fast, agile and smaller."

What planet are u on? It sure ain't this one.

What do you mean?

Clubs (definately in Wales as I know people on the fringes/in the Dragons and Blues academies) where the younger players are encouraged to put on around 3 stone over their natural body weight, or 'bulking up'. They then become gym monkeys to turn this additional weight into muscle, but at the same time the natural skills of these players decrease as their not used to carrying so much weight. This is done so they can make an impact in the physical rugby of today.

If you compare the size of todays average player with 15 years ago then (from memory I believe) todays players are 2-3 inches taller and something like 2-3 stone heavier. They also generally run faster, leading to bigger impacts and more injuries, sometimes permanent or career threatening injuries in small (but increasing) cases.

As I said 'bulking up' youth players so they are unnaturally big and carrying too much weight for their frame (impacting their joints and spine) is very common, and seems to be a big reason why rugby players are bigger these days, and why it is so difficult for players to break tackles, why most players in a team are similar sized - between 6ft 1 and 6ft 5/15st and 20 stone (except locks and props)

You could at least respond to my post properly

Sam Warburton

HERSH wrote:Sam Warburton

What another Welshman headed to barf?

I'm sure thats not what 'Sam wants!'

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

englandglory4ever wrote:"Maybe if the IRB could somehow discourage the 'bulking' up of youth players, then by the time they break through to the senior/reserve sides they will be fast, agile and smaller."

What planet are u on? It sure ain't this one.

What do you mean?

Clubs (definately in Wales as I know people on the fringes/in the Dragons and Blues academies) where the younger players are encouraged to put on around 3 stone over their natural body weight, or 'bulking up'. They then become gym monkeys to turn this additional weight into muscle, but at the same time the natural skills of these players decrease as their not used to carrying so much weight. This is done so they can make an impact in the physical rugby of today.

If you compare the size of todays average player with 15 years ago then (from memory I believe) todays players are 2-3 inches taller and something like 2-3 stone heavier. They also generally run faster, leading to bigger impacts and more injuries, sometimes permanent or career threatening injuries in small (but increasing) cases.

As I said 'bulking up' youth players so they are unnaturally big and carrying too much weight for their frame (impacting their joints and spine) is very common, and seems to be a big reason why rugby players are bigger these days, and why it is so difficult for players to break tackles, why most players in a team are similar sized - between 6ft 1 and 6ft 5/15st and 20 stone (except locks and props)

You could at least respond to my post properly

Sorry your suggesting that players going to the gym makes them taller? and that most players weigh around 20 stone? And that being bigger makes it harder to break tackles?

Ignoring those rather bizzare comments ...
Yes the increase in player weights is part of the reason why players get inured more, but greater strength training and greater fitness leads to injury reduction ..so take your pick on that one. Id agree there is too much focus at youth level on selecting players who are big when young simply because they can bully the opposition off the park, and that also doesnt encourage them to develop rugby skills...but that would remain regardless of whether you stopped them going to the gym or not.
Its a fallacy to suggest that the difficulties in breaking down defences are due to players being bigger now. Across the board they are faster and fitter, and that is increasing in line with size (or in the case of front props the increase in mobility is greater than the increase in size). Couple big fast defenders with huge increases in defensive training and improvements in tackling technique and you have the reason why clean breaks are less common than they were in the amateur days, if youre suggesting that size and a lack of mobility stops players attacking surely it stops them defending equaly?. Its not because centers weigh 16 stone and can run 100m in 11 seconds, its because there isnt great big holes in the defensive and huge size/speed mismatches between forwards and backs like there used to be. Are the All Blacks smaller than the rest of the world?
That aside how exactly do you propose the IRB regulates the amount of growth a child can do/ Will they monitor everyones genetics and hormonal levels? Yes theres a strong argument youth coaches should discourage dangerous bulking, but my experience is that the information is out there. Perhaps reducing contact in youth rugby would help, get away from the focus on size and back to ball handling skills....but what you may see then is lots of skillfull players come through and get smashed to pieces by the "white orcs". Would we see the end of kids like North coming through in their teens, and instead having to spend 3 -4 years building up their size, strength and contact skills before they are ready for full pro rugby?
But the idea that player size can somehow be enforced is barmy, and would cause its own problems with players cutting weight and playing dehydrated.
Summary ..I believe magically reducing player size would cut injury rates, but wouldnt directly lead to a sudden increase in line breaks, nor is it realistically achievable

No I didn't suggest that going to the gym makes them taller - I merely pointed out that players ARE taller and heavier now than they were 10,15,20 years ago. Not sure what the problem with that is.

I then also pointed out that players are expected to be much heavier at a younger age these days, and as a result subject their bodies to much greater pressures, stresses and impacts at greater speeds.

And I didn't suggest being bigger makes it harder to break tackles, I suggested that having all 30 players on the pitch being bigger and faster means that there are stronger tacklers on the pitch, and beign faster the defence can keep it's shape easier and put in bigger hits on the attackers.

As a result a big percentage of teams (Wales for example) resort to getting bigger players to try and smash through the defence instead of going round it. Leading again to bigger hits and impacts.

Not sure what's wrong with that?


So your comment is that players who (like Shane Williams) are 13 stone instead of their natural weight of 11 stone, and are travelling faster and getting hit by a 20 stone guy (who has 2 stone of muscle over his natural body weight) is somehow ok as Shane won't get injured because he's carrying 2 stone of muscle over his body weight (so he's travelling faster, hitting hard and with greater pressure on his joints, while not being as agile). Interesting.

As I said previously I have never stated that lack of mobility makes defences better (not sure where u got that from). I said players are bigger AND faster and as a result the defences are harder to break down. I never said anything about stopping players going to the gym either. I was talking about concentrating more on skills and ensuring that players stick closer to their natural body weight (then North would still be quite heavy as he's broad and relatively broad).

Again I never said the IRB could/can/will/should regulate child growth, so not sure why you mentioned it. All I said was that teams should concentrate on skills instead of bulk, and that it's unhealthy for players to be carrying that much weight and putting the bodies through so much pressure and impacts each game. (which you can see by the amount of players retiring and the injuries they experience).

I wasn't talking about just having small players, obviously you get your Lomu's and Norths of the world (I'm 6ft 4 and 20 stone, I should be 18st naturally if I worked out), I'm talking about players not suddenly turning from a 10 stone player with a 6 pack to a 14 stone hulking behmouth who has trouble turning around.

What can you do

lol

Keep doing what you're doing .

Right its just exactly not what you said previously, which is why it got questioned. Youre now arguing to me the points I made, so we are in agreement on the majority of it.
I guess we "anglo morons" share similar levels of reasoning to the welsh, just apparently its Ok for "your lot" to band out insults and turn it into a "Wales vs England" schoolyard spat. Congratulations.

PSW - I was stressed out earlier on. Seeing some ridiculous postings after logging back on to V2, posts where people misunderstand simple points adds to the stress. You fell into that category for a short while. engglory4eva's theoretical discussions on how rugby should be run are getting quite ridiculous might I add. Hence my opposing theory (the category of posters you speak of).

Fair enough

The "gym monkey" genie is well and truly out of the bottle. It's like an arms race - if you don't bulk up the other lads that did will roll over you.
Hopefully the sport will produce a few more Shane Williams or Jason Robinson types, smaller incredibly quick and agile types that may diffuse it for a while in the backs, but forwards are just going to stay big and get bigger. The backs are probably going to keep getting bigger too.
You cannot take it away from the likes of North however, these are not "forwards playing on the wing", these boys have pace and talent, but I'd like to see them facing the speed and quick-thinking of a Robinson / s. Williams type - opens up a game more and is a more entertaining spectacle.

I think you have to accept that guys are going to be built big from now on. Limiting their game time is the only way to protect their long term health, as well as their longevity within the game.

If that happens, you're going to need bigger squads. Which means more money, and where can the clubs rustle that up from? Any suggestions?

Justin Tuperic will make his comeback tomorrow vs Bath at the Liberty.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Right its just exactly not what you said previously, which is why it got questioned. Youre now arguing to me the points I made, so we are in agreement on the majority of it.
I guess we "anglo morons" share similar levels of reasoning to the welsh, just apparently its Ok for "your lot" to band out insults and turn it into a "Wales vs England" schoolyard spat. Congratulations.

Is that comment to me?

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Right its just exactly not what you said previously, which is why it got questioned. Youre now arguing to me the points I made, so we are in agreement on the majority of it.
I guess we "anglo morons" share similar levels of reasoning to the welsh, just apparently its Ok for "your lot" to band out insults and turn it into a "Wales vs England" schoolyard spat. Congratulations.

Is that comment to me?

Yes, you and the chap who has since had his comment deleted and apologised for, and which we moved on from.

nobbled wrote:The "gym monkey" genie is well and truly out of the bottle. It's like an arms race - if you don't bulk up the other lads that did will roll over you.
Hopefully the sport will produce a few more Shane Williams or Jason Robinson types, smaller incredibly quick and agile types that may diffuse it for a while in the backs, but forwards are just going to stay big and get bigger. The backs are probably going to keep getting bigger too.
You cannot take it away from the likes of North however, these are not "forwards playing on the wing", these boys have pace and talent, but I'd like to see them facing the speed and quick-thinking of a Robinson / s. Williams type - opens up a game more and is a more entertaining spectacle.

I think you have to accept that guys are going to be built big from now on. Limiting their game time is the only way to protect their long term health, as well as their longevity within the game.

If that happens, you're going to need bigger squads. Which means more money, and where can the clubs rustle that up from? Any suggestions?

Totally agree with your post, I still think there is a place for the likes of Robinson and Shane but even they bulked up. Although Wales have picked big backs at least 1/2Penny still a first choice player.

Tupuric is without the constraints of Ospreys captaincy and is fit and ready for the new season. But can he handle Sam...?

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

Smirnoffpriest wrote:

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:Right its just exactly not what you said previously, which is why it got questioned. Youre now arguing to me the points I made, so we are in agreement on the majority of it.
I guess we "anglo morons" share similar levels of reasoning to the welsh, just apparently its Ok for "your lot" to band out insults and turn it into a "Wales vs England" schoolyard spat. Congratulations.

Is that comment to me?

Yes, you and the chap who has since had his comment deleted and apologised for, and which we moved on from.

Well the only reason I'm arguing is that you said that I'd said things I hadn't - such as claiming the IRB should restrict youngsters growth. When I restated what I said and pointed out I hadn't said what you claimed, you came out with the above, and insinuating that I'd called you (and other English people) "Anglo Morons", and it's a bit insulting to dismiss all Welsh people as "your lot". I've also spoke about the rise of injuries in the game, the amount of retirements and the style of the game - not sure how that's turning the discussion into a "Wales vs England" schoolyard spat?

glamorganalun wrote:

nobbled wrote:The "gym monkey" genie is well and truly out of the bottle. It's like an arms race - if you don't bulk up the other lads that did will roll over you.
Hopefully the sport will produce a few more Shane Williams or Jason Robinson types, smaller incredibly quick and agile types that may diffuse it for a while in the backs, but forwards are just going to stay big and get bigger. The backs are probably going to keep getting bigger too.
You cannot take it away from the likes of North however, these are not "forwards playing on the wing", these boys have pace and talent, but I'd like to see them facing the speed and quick-thinking of a Robinson / s. Williams type - opens up a game more and is a more entertaining spectacle.

I think you have to accept that guys are going to be built big from now on. Limiting their game time is the only way to protect their long term health, as well as their longevity within the game.

If that happens, you're going to need bigger squads. Which means more money, and where can the clubs rustle that up from? Any suggestions?

Totally agree with your post, I still think there is a place for the likes of Robinson and Shane but even they bulked up. Although Wales have picked big backs at least 1/2Penny still a first choice player.

Agree with this