Sam Warburton Q&A session

By Sam Warburton, Lions captain

Lions captain Sam Warburton answered readers' questions in a live webchat. Telegraph Sport picks out the highlights
Telegraph Sport readers had 45 minutes of exclusive access to Warburton, who led the Lionsto a Test win in Brisbane on Saturday, and he answered questions on a number of topics including: George North's wonder try, the Folau factor, the injury to Paul O'Connell and tomorrow's midweek game against the Rebels.
Don't worry if you missed the webchat earlier as we've picked out the best bits below:
Jeff: Has George North got any stick from the boys for his finger waving at Genia?
Sam Warburton: I know George didn't mean any offence. He's said he got caught up in the emotion of scoring
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D Hamer: Sam, how is the feeling in the camp towards the Horwill incident? Will it play a part in the attitude next Saturday? CymruAmByth!
Sam Warburton: It was unfortunate and it was dealt with by the disciplinary process but it won't affect how we prepare or play - diolch!
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Jon Lawrence: Hi Sam, as an opposition player, did you feel sorry for Kurtley Beale at all on Saturday? Obviously it meant you guys got the victory but a part of you must know how much that hurt him.
Sam Warburton: We've all been through it - I did four times with Wales last year. He is a top player and will experience many highs in the future I'm sure
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Bernie Knight: Did you adjust your approach to the breakdown area following the two early penalties against Brian O'Driscoll?
Sam Warburton: Yes, I didn't bother competing for the ball on the floor. It was better to counter-ruck or get your feet in there
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Jon: Hi Sam - thanks for taking the time to do this. How did you find the style of the refereeing dictated how the breakdown played out? It seemed as if the attackers best weapon at the breakdown was the referee! Best of luck to you and the lads for the games this week, and hope the wounded have a speedy recovery.
Sam Warburton: The breakdown was difficult and we tried to adapt - just glad to get the result and obviously we will work on it this week

_{One down: the Lions have taken the lead in the series}
David: Hi Sam, big fan from New Zealand. What areas are you looking to improve your own game in for the 2nd test? Best of luck
Sam Warburton: More turnovers, which have been difficult to come by - the breakdown has been refereed slightly different to the Northern Hemisphere
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Alex: Morning Sam, How much of a miss is PoC going to be for the rest of the tour? Good luck for the weekend.
Sam Warburton: Paul is a very influential figure and has helped me out massively but we have got some good figures there such as Geoff, who has impressed me massively
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Adam: How did you feel when that penalty got awarded to them with 1 minute to go?
Sam Warburton: Not again! It's very difficult when all you can do is stand and watch. It was a penalty we didn't need to give away
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Russ: Sam, How do you plan to close down Israel Folau in the next game?
Sam Warburton: I'll leave that to George North!! Seriously, easier said than done but we'll just have to give him as little space as possible
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Danny: Who is pushing the most tin in the gym on tour?

Sam Warburton: This isn't Dan Lydiate is it! Because it's probably him, closely edging out myself...
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Rob: Hi Sam. Who is the funniest room mate you've had so far on tour?
Sam Warburton: Probably Dan Lydiate - he is the most random guy I've met. All he does is talk about the farm! And how I'm not tough enough to be on there

Jon: Hi Sam - thanks for taking the time to do this. How did you find the style of the refereeing dictated how the breakdown played out? It seemed as if the attackers best weapon at the breakdown was the referee! Best of luck to you and the lads for the games this week, and hope the wounded have a speedy recovery.

Sam Warburton: The breakdown was difficult and we tried to adapt - just glad to get the result and obviously we will work on it this week



The different referee this week should make a difference to the way the breakdown is run. I am sure the analysts are working overtime to research on Mr Joubert, someone the whole team should be far more familiar with.


Similarly BOD says

"There's big frustration with that," said O'Driscoll.
"I was talking out on the pitch and in the dressing room because certainly I felt I was on the right side of the laws with it. He adjudged it differently and penalised me. Thankfully, James O'Connor missed both kicks.
"We'll have to work on our interpretations and see if we can get that better for next week."

This is a great quote by North

"I think it's called panic running," North said. "It was just a case of run, run, run and run and hopefully the gaps will open."

Good read this. What's funny is he says Lydiate is pushing the most tin, but the one photo I've seen (with POC), he wasn't pushing much.

I don't think they have to alter too much next week. Speak to Joubert or whoever it is this week and ask what his interpretation will be and there's no issues

Risca Rev wrote:Good read this. What's funny is he says Lydiate is pushing the most tin, but the one photo I've seen (with POC), he wasn't pushing much.

I don't think they have to alter too much next week. Speak to Joubert or whoever it is this week and ask what his interpretation will be and there's no issues

I was just discussing Joubert with a bloke on another thread.

Look at the way Joubert referees, Wales vs Scotland is a great example. He liked penalising the breakdown, but played with the attacking team. Awards lots of penaltys.

maestegmafia wrote:Bernie Knight: Did you adjust your approach to the breakdown area following the two early penalties against Brian O'Driscoll?
Sam Warburton: Yes, I didn't bother competing for the ball on the floor. It was better to counter-ruck or get your feet in there

Clever Sam. Confirms what I thought. Hope to see more of a contest at the breakdown this week

ChequeredJersey wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:Bernie Knight: Did you adjust your approach to the breakdown area following the two early penalties against Brian O'Driscoll?
Sam Warburton: Yes, I didn't bother competing for the ball on the floor. It was better to counter-ruck or get your feet in there

Clever Sam. Confirms what I thought. Hope to see more of a contest at the breakdown this week

Don't we all...!

Joubert usually likes to see some scraping for ball. In the last match he reffed Warburton, Scots vs Wales, Sam won three consecutive penalties in the final quarter.

Warburton and possibly Tipuric, who was outstanding again today, look the answer to me for this reason.

It's a shame they didn't publish some 'interesting' questions with some better answers.

It's all a bit too corporate and safe these days. Sam is very much a modern 'keep it quiet and safe' Lions captain. Not his fault but this is a bit, meh.