Sam Warburton, a former Wales skipper and British and Irish Lions legend, has weighed in on the recent Nations Championship, praising the improved level of attacking rugby and the emergence of other teams as contenders to the All Blacks' dominance. Warburton highlights the All Blacks' traditional superstrength - creating clean breaks - and notes that other teams have finally caught up, making more clean breaks and metres than ever before.
Warburton also brings up the tough love approach of Warren Gatland, the former Welsh boss, in dealing with Liam Williams' on-pitch cards. He suggests that England head coach Steve Borthwick should adopt a similar strategy to curb his team's poor discipline, which has resulted in 14 yellow cards and one red card in their eight matches so far in 2026. Warburton believes that the Nations Championship has added to the spectacle of rugby, with winning teams making more clean breaks and metres, and losing teams struggling to keep up with the pace and skill sets of the top teams.
He also mentions the improvements in forwards' handling skills, allowing them to play the ball out the back more confidently. This has led to better attacking options for players and a more open, free-flowing style of play. Warburton concludes by stating that there is no single answer to why teams are better able to attack, but the overall improvement in skill sets and the Nations Championship have contributed to the game's transformation.
In summary, Warburton's commentary highlights the rise of other teams as contenders to the All Blacks' dominance, the importance of tough love in coaching, and the overall improvement in the game's style and skill sets, making rugby more entertaining and competitive.
