WARBURTON I MIGHT NOT BE READY TO ROAR
Lions captain Sam admits he will step aside if he is not fit for the first Test
SAM WARBURTON vowed last night to step aside if he is not 100 per cent right to lead the Lions into the Test series with New Zealand.
Warren Gatland’s captain returns to action against the Highlanders here tomorrow after missing the last two games with an ankle injury.
With the First Test less than a fortnight away Gatland will give Warburton every chance to prove both form and fitness - even if it means starting him twice in the next five days. In return, the Welshman, who spent the weekend icing his ankle, has pledged to be straight with the boss.
“I definitely need more games, I admit that and I knew that coming into the tour,” said Warburton. “I see it that I’m tour captain and if I make the First Test that would be a bonus for me.”
Stuart Hogg will find out today if his tour is over when he sees a specialist to determine the damage caused to his cheek in a collision with team-mate Conor Murray’s elbow. The fears are less dire for Warburton but the flanker faces a race against time and is honest enough to say so.
“I’ve learned from experience it takes me at least two games and then the third game I’ll probably be playing some good rugby,” he said.
“So if I play Tuesday and still feel I’m a bit undercut I’ll be honest with Gats that I might not be ready for the First Test. There are three Tests to get selected for so it’s not the be-all and end-all with the first one.”
Warburton watched openside rival Sean O’Brien impress in Saturday’s 12-3 win over the Crusaders and knows the Irishman has set the bar high. “I’ve always said, if I had to name a top-five of No.7s in the world, I’d put Sean and Justin (Tipuric) in it,” he said. “But one area we can step up is turnover in the contact area. That’s my role of expertise. I have to deliver on Tuesday.”
Fly-half Dan Biggar also put pressure on himself following Owen Farrell’s AMI Stadium masterclass.
“Being brutally honest, Owen and Johnny [Sexton] deserve to be just a fraction ahead at the moment,” said Biggar.
“It’s my job to try to force the order a little.”