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Warburton hails 'phenomenal effort' as Wales bridge six-year title gap
By Online Editors
Former Wales captain Sam Warburton has hailed the "phenomenal effort" from Warren Gatland's side as they beat Ireland in Cardiff to win the Grand Slam.
Hadleigh Parkes scored an early try and Gareth Anscombe added 20 points with the boot from a conversion and six penalties to help Wales win 25-7 at the Principality Stadium.
Warburton, who led Wales to the Grand Slam in 2012 and famously lifted the trophy with one arm after suffering a shoulder injury, told BBC One: "If for whatever reason Wales didn't win today they wouldn't have won a championship since 2013.
"Wales have been too good over the last five or six years not to have won a title. I'm so, so happy for all the players involved. For Warren, all the coaching staff.
"There's been some ups and downs over the past five or six years but after the performance today to win 25-7 against the second-ranked team in the world, Ireland, is a phenomenal effort. A phenomenal effort. I'm so pleased for everyone involved."
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Martyn Williams, who won Grand Slams of his own in 2005 and 2008, echoed the thoughts of his fellow back-row forward.
He said: "It was an incredible performance from the whole Welsh team. Wales just made a very, very good team look very ordinary.
"They out-harried them, they were more professional, they were more detailed, they won those big moments and it was just an incredible final-day performance from Wales. They thoroughly deserve the Grand Slam."
Former England captain Martin Johnson felt the crowd in Cardiff played a big part in pushing Wales over the edge.
He said: "It's an amazing atmosphere here when they get going. The players have inspired the crowd. The crowd in turn inspire the players.
"That second half Ireland were never coming back. The crowd got into it and Wales were just on top of the game.
"It's easy sat here with a cup of tea telling you what you should do. When you're playing in that atmosphere its very, very difficult. It's been a privilege being here. The atmosphere has been very, very special."
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Latest Comments
I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.
Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.
Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.
They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.
That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.
Go to commentsGB = England, Scotland, Wales. UK = England, Wales, Scotland, NI
Nothing to stew son.
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