Sam Warburton on track for Wales opener against New Zealand
Tuesday 7 June 2016 09:20, UK
Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards is hopeful captain Sam Warburton will be fit for the opening Test against New Zealand in Auckland on Saturday.
Warburton has been sidelined for six weeks with a shoulder injury but the back-row forward is making good progress ahead of the first match in the three-Test series at Eden Park.
"Sam's shoulder is improving quite dramatically and I think he will be there or thereabouts. He has passed all the back to play protocols, but there is always an element of doubt until the physios clear him to play, so we will have to wait until the team is announced on Thursday," said Edwards.
"Sam is one of the few guys who could go into a game not having played for a few weeks and still be pretty sharp. He keeps himself very fit and he has been working hard on his conditioning, so we are hopeful he will be up for selection.
"You always want your captain to play, as well as your best players, and he is vital for us. But it's like everything else, if he doesn't make it there is a young bloke out there willing to put his hand up and give his 100 per cent."
The All Blacks were named as World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus Awards in Berlin in April, beating off opposition from Barcelona FC, the Great Britain Davis Cup winning team, the Golden State Warriors basketball side, Mercedes F1 and the United States women's World Cup winning squad.
And Edwards has warned his players there will be no margin for error against the world champions.
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"We know going into this game that any errors will be capitalised on because we are playing against a team that is the best team in the world, not just the best rugby team," said Edwards.
"For the All Blacks to be selected, a few weeks ago over in Europe, above Barcelona and above all the American teams is just fantastic. To get that recognition is marvellous and the All Blacks have done a great job in selling the game.
"To have a home record that shows they haven't lost in Auckland since 1994 and that the last time they lost anywhere at home was in 2009 is incredible. They are double world champions and they portray a good image for the game of rugby.
"When they come to the UK everybody knows who the All Blacks are and about the Haka. It's a great way to spread the rugby gospel around the world."
