The former Wales captain became tearful when describing a defining moment in his career
Sam Warburton on The Central Club podcast(Image: YouTube/The Central Club)
Sam Warburton has spoken for the first time about the moment in a Wales match that transformed his career, breaking down in tears while recounting the story.
The former Wales captain was reflecting on the proudest moment of his trophy-laden career, opening up about the immense pressure he faced during the 2013 Six Nations campaign.
While many would assume his greatest achievement was captaining the British and Irish Lions or leading Wales to Six Nations glory, Warburton says the defining moment actually came during a match against Scotland.
At the time, the then-24-year-old was battling serious nerve damage in his shoulder and neck, an injury so severe he could not drive for two months and eventually required surgery.
Yet while struggling physically, he was also dealing with growing criticism from supporters and pundits during the early days of social media.
“A lot of people didn’t like me then as a player, for whatever reason, saying I shouldn’t play,” Warburton admitted on The Central Club podcast.
“I was playing this one game against Scotland, I wasn’t playing my best rugby, I was coming back from an injury, nerve damage in my shoulder, and it really knocked my confidence because my game is physicality.”
The former Cardiff flanker explained how the criticism began to affect him in a way it never had before.
Known throughout his career for his self-belief and relentless work ethic, Warburton said he started doubting himself during the first half against Scotland and feared his lifelong dream of representing the Lions was slipping away.
“I’d committed myself to playing for the Lions since I was 14,” he said. “And I’m playing and I thought, ‘I’m f***ing it up right now.’
“I thought I wasn’t playing well enough to go on a Lions tour.”
But what happened next proved to be the turning point.
Warburton returned to the dressing room at half-time, put on his headphones and listened to a song that had accompanied him through years of gruelling training sessions.
The track was Refuse To Be Denied by metal band Anthrax.
“I listened to it and thought, ‘Right, I’m going to go out in the second half and cause hell’,” he said.
“I thought it was the moment in my career where I either make it for the Lions or I don’t.
“I had one of the best second halves I ever had. I got man of the match.”
As he retold the story on the podcast, Warburton became visibly emotional and struggled to continue as he wiped away tears and bowed his head.
Sam Warburton became visibly emotional during an interview about his Wales career(Image: YouTube/The Central Club)
“It’s an emotional one because you get criticised in your career, your family go through it as well and it’s hard,” he said.
“It’s hard to play for Wales. It’s a privilege, but people don’t realise how much pressure comes with it. How much it can affect your personal life.”
The emotion stemmed not just from the performance itself, but what happened afterwards. Warburton revealed he removed his man-of-the-match medal after the game and handed it to his parents in the stands.
“I got my man of the match medal, went around the stadium, took it off and gave it to my mum and dad. They still have it in their front room now,” he added.
“That was the moment I could have caved in. I had the negativity from the red card (against France in the World Cup) creeping in.
“But I was man of the match, man of the match the next game, win the Six Nations, picked for the Lions, captain of the Lions and win with the Lions.
“I could have given up, but I carried on going.”
Sam Warburton after receiving his man of the match medal against Scotland
What followed became one of the most remarkable periods in Welsh rugby history.
Warburton produced another outstanding display in Wales’ final Six Nations match against England as Warren Gatland’s side demolished their rivals 30-3 in Cardiff to retain the championship and deny England a Grand Slam.
The performance helped secure selection for the 2013 British and Irish Lions tour to Australia, where Warburton was appointed captain and led the tourists to a famous series victory.
Looking back now, however, Warburton says the success came at a personal cost.
“I sacrificed my life from the age of 14 to play for Wales,” he said. “I’ve never spoken about that.
“That was my best moment, getting that man of the match medal and giving it to my mum and dad.”
He added that after retirement, his mother told him his twin brother had remarked: “I’ve got my brother back.”
“Because I was a bit of a recluse,” Warburton explained. “I locked myself away, obsessed with being good and achieving.
“I regret a little bit… I wish I could have enjoyed it more.”
