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Warburton fired up for Lions decider

6th July 2017


Sam Warburton is counting down the minutes to the biggest game of his career - the British & Irish Lions third Test decider against New Zealand (8.30am).

The Cardiff Blues star is just the second player in history to captain the Lions on two separate tours and he stands on the brink of another historic feat with the series levelled one all.

Warburton once again starts on the blindside flanker and unlike four years ago when he missed the victorious series decider against Australia due to a torn hamstring, he is gunning for the All Blacks.

“Four years ago I did feel like it was a bit of unfinished business for me, I would have loved to have finished off that Tour,” he said.

“So for me I was delighted when i found out I was going to be in the team for this third and deciding Test.  It will definitely be the biggest game I have played in.”

The All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park in Auckland since 1994 and from previous experience Warburton is braced for a back lash.

But he is relishing what he anticipates will be an epic encounter.

 “You can definitely expect a reaction, just like we had one after the first Test defeat, I think it is going to be a really interesting, proper epic Test match,” he added.

“It is going to be very to and fro, there will be patches where we are under pressure and patches where they are, but hopefully we have got a pretty experienced team and that will be enough to pull us through.

“This is what every sacrifice you have made since you were a young kid and decided to be a rugby player is about – for moments like this.”

You can watch the British & Irish Lions v New Zealand LIVE at the home of Sam Warburton, Cardiff Arms Park! 
The clubhouse will be opening its doors and showing the game on the big screens with breakfast available.