Warburton hopes All Blacks scalp secures Lions future
Sam Warburton hopes Saturday's thrilling victory over New Zealand will silence any lingering doubts over the future of the British and Lions.
The Lions triumphed 24-21 in Wellington in a pulsating game of rugby that saw the hosts play a large part of the game with 14 men following a red card to Sonny Bill Williams for an ugly shoulder charge.
It was the Lions' first Test victory against New Zealand since 1993 and means the three-match series is all to play for in next week's Auckland decider.
At times the legitimacy of Lions tours have been called into question by some observers, but captain Warburton says representing the Lions is the pinnacle of a player's career.
"Whatever happens we will come back with some credibility, but I want to get the job done and bring the series home," he said.
"We can't stress how important the Lions is for players. It is the absolute pinnacle of our careers. The Test matches are really important, and getting wins keeps it alive for the fans.
"It's great that we managed to put that performance into the jersey and hopefully that will keep the Lions going for at least another four years."
The Lions managed to prevent the fearsome All Blacks from scoring a try, something that Warburton was particularly proud of.
"I hadn't realised we hadn't conceded a try; that is an incredible achievement," Warburton added.
"I'm very proud of that defensive effort. You can talk tactics as much as you like, but sometimes it's about desire to get off line and put in some hits."
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Go to commentsActually the era defining moment came a few years earlier. February 2002 to be precise, when Michael D Higgins as finance minister at the time introduced his sports persons tax relief bill to the dial. As the politicians of the day stated “It seems to be another daft K Club frolic born in Kildare amongst the well-paid professional jockeys with whom the Minister plays golf” and that the scheme represented “a savage uncaring vision of Ireland and one that should be condemned”. The irfu and Leinster would be nowhere near the position they are in today without this key component of the finances.
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