Warburton in race to get fit for first test
British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton has admitted he could miss the first test against the All Blacks.
Flanker Warburton, who will return from an ankle injury to start against the Highlanders in Dunedin tonight, has played just 67 minutes of rugby in the past two months.
The Welshman said if he has any self-doubts about his fitness during the match against the Highlanders, he would tell Lions coach Warren Gatland that he should be scratched from that first test against the All Blacks in Auckland on June 24.
He picked up an ankle strain in the opening game against the Provincial Barbarians, which was his first game since he hurt the knee while representing his Cardiff Blues club in April, and was not considered for the next two games against the Blues and Crusaders.
‘‘If I play on Tuesday and I still feel I’m a bit undercut, then I might not be ready for that first test,’’ Warburton said in Dunedin on Sunday evening.
‘‘I’ve learned from experience that it takes me at least two games [after injury] and then the third game I’ll probably be playing some good rugby but Gats [Gatland] knew that and I’ve [still] received this role as tour captain.’’
With less that two weeks remaining until the first test at Eden Park, Warburton is aware the clock is ticking.
If he is not deemed fit to play the All Blacks in the opening fixture, Gatland has the option of starting either Sean O’brien or Justin Tipuric at No 7. Both men, said Warburton, were ‘‘among the top five opensides in the world’’ in his book.
‘‘If I make the first test then that would be a bonus for me, but there are three tests to get selected for, so it’s not the be all and end all with the first one.’’
Gatland stated he was hoping to name a shadow test team to face the New Zealand Maori in Rotorua on Saturday.
However, he felt that could be a bridge too far for Warburton who said was ‘‘very unlikely’’ he would be listed to play that game because he was not match hardened to back-up so soon after the Highlanders game.