Wales back-rower, and stand-in skipper, Ryan Jones is backing Sam Warburton to be back to his best and to lead his country again.
After captaining his country to the semi-finals at the 2011 World Cup, and a Grand Slam triumph in 2008, Warburton suffered a dip in form which coincided with Wales' wretched run of eight straight defeats.
His omission from caretaker coach Rob Howley's side to face Italy in Rome next Saturday has been Welsh rugby's main talking point but Jones expects the 24-year-old flanker to silence his critics soon.
"Sam is still squad captain and he is a kid with a great future and it amazes me the reaction people have had," Jones told Walesonline
"It's not just Sam, some of the guys in the squad have seen their careers sky-rocket and they have not experienced the other end of the spectrum.
"Rugby careers don't go like that, the players we remember are the ones who have had that longevity and have weathered these storms, and the way to do that is not going to extremes.
"You can't torture yourself mentally and physically."
Jones was in a similar situation to Warburton's when, after captaining Wales to a Grand Slam win in 2008, he was favoured to be named skipper of the British and Irish Lions team that toured South Africa in 2009.
But his form slumped to the extent that he failed to make the original Lions squad.
He said, however, that he does not believe Warburton is feeling the weight of being the favourite to lead the Lions when they tour Australia later this year.
"In 2009, maybe the talk of the Lions captaincy did have an effect on me, but all players know the captaincy will take care of itself," explained Jones.
"It will depend on who is going, the make-up of the team. It is not something you can control.
"It's not like a job you apply for, it's an added bonus for the person who gets it, that's what I would tell Sam."
Comments
saintblack says...
@ jontheref
well sed buddy
Posted 13:59 20th February 2013
jontheref says...
Quite honestly, if Robshaw is picked as captain, I think we will have the problem of the captain not being worth hsi place.
To cahnge him to 6 may work, but then again, Ryan Jones is a better 6 that Robshaw.
Don't agree with Armitage, as Tipuric gives a better balance, as he is a superb tail of line jumper, which not of the three you pick are.
Anyway, long way to go yet!
Posted 09:11 20th February 2013
melkdave says...
@Jontheref
Agree with you 100%,Have a tour captain ,and then a team captain or captains for the matches..After all its not as if we are short of leaders in the 4 nations ,BOD,K.Brown,D.Hartly,spring to mind just as an example..I know C.Robshaw is being talked about as captain ,but people are saying he isnt an automatic choice at 7 i agree,forgetting his really a 6 ,and with Lydiate ,Ferris,Croft,unlikely having time to really mount a challange,it makes sense to me for C.Robshaw to play there in a backline of 6)Robshaw 7)Armitage 8)SOB .Which imo gives us a hell of a well balanced backrow of 3 class poachers,1 extra lineout option,3 class ball carriers,and 3 class tacklers,and all 3 have engines that just keep going 100 mph,
Posted 20:01 18th February 2013
lawynd says...
I totally agree, jontheref. You want several leaders in the group and on the field anyway, so you can be confident in that aspect. O'Driscoll, Warburton, Robshaw...there's no lack of passion, experience and skill between those three.
Posted 18:54 18th February 2013
jontheref says...
Such a great guy.
I'd keep him as captain, as until Lydiate is back, he is the best 6 Wales have.
We have Tipuric at 7, who Sam has to better, so pick the best team.
Gatland may have the pirrenial problem with whoever he picks as Lions captain, struggling to be best in position, a problem many Lions teams have had.
Why don't them pick a Squad captain, with the understanding he may not be captain on the day?
I know it changes the traditions of the Lions, but blending 4 nations is hard enough without giving yourslef another headache.
The Lions is unique, so make unique solutions.
Posted 13:31 18th February 2013