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Warburton himself believes Wales they can build on their historic victory New Zealand and use it to shake off the memory of their recent record-breaking run of 18 consecutive Test defeats.
Ex-Wales and British and Irish Lions The captain was ecstatic to see his former side hold on for a 35-28 win at the Principality Stadium, their first victory over All black people since 1953
Steve Tandy’s men defended heroically in the second half to seal a triumph that sets them up for next weekend Nations Championship conflict with Australia.
Warburton told ITV: “I think one thing Steve Tandy brought to this team, and one thing about all the good Welsh teams we’ve had in the past, is that they were all really tough, defiant, never giving up at any cost.
“That was a perfect example of that. There was so much pressure that it seemed inevitable that New Zealand would score, but for those players to just not break through and get over the line, that’s what being Welsh is all about.”
“That’s what defines great teams and I hope this is a catalyst for this team for better things to come.”
First-half tries from Tomos Williams, Dewi Lake and Archie Griffin – all converted by Sam Costelow – put Wales in front and, although New Zealand pulled level at the interval, the hosts found a second wind at the start of the second half.
Converted tries from Eddie James and Louis Rees-Zammit put them back in the box before they held off increasingly desperate New Zealand advances to secure one of the biggest wins in their history.
The atmosphere at full-time was a world away from the gloom that greeted their losing streak which finally ended with victory over Japan in the second attempt in Kobe last year.
Warburton added: “Nobody gave Wales a chance and I didn’t think they would beat New Zealand, but sometimes I think we forget what this group of players have been through.
“They’ve plummeted from winning a Grand Slam six or seven years ago to 12th in the rankings, a record losing streak for any top-ranked nation.
“They were right in the box and they slowly crawled away to have one of the all-time greatest wins in Welsh history. It was a phenomenal effort and I’m proud to be Welsh on a day like that.”
