Warburton played 67 minutes of the Lions’ tour opener with New Zealand’s Provincial Barbarians side, and is keen to prove his fitness ahead of the first Test with the All Blacks at Eden Park on June 24.
After suffering with a knee problem in the build-up to the tour, Warburton’s slight ankle injury saw him miss the defeat to Auckland Blues and 12-3 win over Crusaders in Canterbury. Now back fit, he is keen to impress.
“I’m just desperate to get some minutes under my belt. I know when I do, I’ll be absolutely fine so I’m delighted to be getting this start,” Warburton said.
“I definitely need more games. I admit that and I knew that coming into the tour. I’ve learned from experience it takes me at least two games to get a blow out and then in the third game, I’ll probably be playing some good rugby. It feels it’s audition time for the Test series.
“The coaches are going to start putting their Test team together pretty soon.”
Warburton starts in the back-row against Super Rugby outfit Highlanders.
His Wales team-mates Rhys Webb and Dan Biggar begin at half back. Forwards Ken Owens, Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric are among the replacements.
The game at Forsyth Barr Stadium is vital for the Lions and Warburton.
“I know there is every chance I might not even get involved in the first Test,” he admitted.
“But there are three Tests to get selected for, so it’s not the be all and end all with the first one. I’ll be honest with Gats and he will be honest with me. If I play on Tuesday and I still feel I’m a bit undercut, then I might not be ready for that first Test. If I feel I need more games, then I’ll tell Warren I don’t feel ready. If I don’t need any, then I’ll obviously let him know that with a good performance.”
After getting back to winning ways by inflicting a first defeat of the season on Crusaders, the Lions must build on the much-needed momentum they gathered in Christchurch.
The Highlanders are without star pair Ben and Aaron Smith, but include All Blacks backs Malakai Fekitoa, Waisake Naholo and Lima Sopoaga.
“We’re so desperate to have a good tour and we’re only a fraction away from being three wins out of three,” Warburton said. “The players are really happy with the way the tour is progressing and how we’re developing as a team. I’m desperate to get another win and kick on again so the confidence can grow.”
On his own personal form, Warburton added: “When I play well and I am match-fit, I am aggressive in the tackle, and I’ll contribute handful of good carries. We haven’t seen a lot of turnovers so far.
“My one specialist element is the contact area. I guess I have to deliver in that area.”
Lions: Payne; Nowell; Joseph, Henshaw; Seymour; Biggar, Webb; Marler, Best, Sinckler; Lawes, Henderson; Haskell, Warburton (capt), Stander
Replacements: Owens, McGrath, Cole, Jones, Tipuric, Laidlaw, Farrell, Daly
Highlanders: Buckman; Naholo, Fekitoa, Walden, Li; Sopoaga, Hammington; Lienert-Brown, Coltman, Tokolahi; Ainley, Hemopo; Hunt, Evans, Whitelock (capt)
Replacements: Pleasants-Tate, Seiuli, Halanukonuka, Dickson, Lentjes, Renton, Banks, Osborne
