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Wales must beat southern nations: Warburton

17th October, 2013
28

Sam Warburton admits there is a feeling of “work undone” until Wales can start delivering knockout punches to rugby union’s southern hemisphere heavyweights.

The Welsh are three weeks away from launching another autumn campaign, with South Africa and Australia among those on their November agenda.

Since head coach Warren Gatland took charge in early 2008, Wales’s success has been well-chronicled; three Six Nations titles, two Grand Slams and a World Cup semi-final appearance.

Their record under him against New Zealand, the Springboks and Wallabies, though, makes for sobering reading, with just one win – against Australia in 2008 – and 20 defeats.

Six of those losses were by a margin of three points or less, notably some agonising recent failures against Australia.

But while Warburton has twice been on a winning team at one of the “big three’s” expense, both times he was wearing a British and Irish Lions shirt in Australia, rather than the red of Wales.

“Until you achieve against southern hemisphere sides, it will always feel like there is work undone,” the Wales skipper said.

“You can do well in the northern hemisphere, but to get respect from everyone in world rugby you have to beat the southern sides.

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“I hope we keep getting better. By no means would anyone just want to sit back and enjoy what we have achieved. It is what we do next that is important.”

Wales kick off the autumn series against South Africa – a country they last beat 14 years ago – on November 9, and Warburton added: “It is a massive game to start with, especially with South Africa playing so well in the Rugby Championship and having been together for a few months.”

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