Wales flanker Warburton captains Warren Gatland’s Lions against New Zealand at Eden Park with the series level at 1-1 and the tourists on the verge of history.
The Lions have only ever won once in the land of the long white cloud – in 1971 – and Warburton has his eye on what would an historic moment.
“As players we are all feeling pretty chilled out at the moment. We have been training and doing bits on the laptop or recovery, so we’ve kept ourselves ticking over in Queenstown,” he said.
“It’s going to be one of the biggest games we’ve played in, but you can’t play the game too early.
“Selection this time was always going to be out of my hands. I thought if I deserved to get picked then that’s what would happen and I was delighted to get the nod for this game.
“I guess having missed the deciding game in 2013 it means there’s unfinished business there.”
Warburton secured his first win over New Zealand with the Lions in the second Test in Wellington.
Head coach Gatland has opted against changing up his side for the last of the three-game series, instead opting for the same team which ran out at Westpac Stadium.
It is Steve Hansen’s men who have rotated, Ngani Laumape and Jordie Barrett ready to make their first Test starts in Aucland while Julian Savea has been recalled on the wing.
Laumape starts at inside centre in place of the suspended Sonny Bill Williams.
After the All Blacks were beaten 24-21 last weekend, Warburton is expecting the world’s best side to hit back.
“I think it’s 10 games I’ve played against New Zealand and we are expecting a reaction on Saturday,” said the Lions skipper.
“I learnt my lesson from last summer with Wales that whoever they pick or whichever players are missing, it’s always going to be a strong All Blacks team.
“It will be a proper, interesting Test match on Saturday and it will be an epic encounter. Both sides will come under pressure and it’s about who deals with that best.”
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