Next up: The Lions leave Auckland with a first defeat of the tour and head to the South Island and Christchurch for this Saturday's third game against Super Rugby kingpins the Crusaders.
Warburton was absent from the 23 for the second match in succession having played 66 minutes of an unconvincing opening 13-7 victory over the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians at the weekend - his first game since suffering a season-ending medial knee ligament injury on European duty with the Cardiff Blues in April.
Flanker Sean O'Brien, scrum half Conor Murray, centre Jonathan Davies and wing George North all make their first appearances of the tour.
They will continue their tour with a match against Super Rugby side Crusaders on Saturday, following yesterday's defeat to the Blues.
While Gatland may indeed be keeping a few things back, in truth there is very little time for the Lions to get things right as they build through the tour towards that all-important first test against the world champions on June 24.
But the Blues' chaos rugby - as described by the Lions camp this week - kicked in at the ideal time, as offloads from bustling duo Steven Luatua and Sonny Bill Williams handed reserve first-five eighth West the chance to scoot around Halfpenny and score.
Head coach Gatland insists he is yet to even think about his line-up for the three-Test New Zealand series, despite fielding a potent XV to face runaway Super Rugby leaders the Crusaders tomorrow.
"It's a great test for us and preparation".
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"We've taken a hit but the boys aren't going to hit the panic button after one bad result".
"We're hugely disappointed", captain Ken Owens said.
Gatland has picked a strong side, packed with experience but there hasn't been much on the pitch to represent what's on paper so far. They're highly skilled players across the board.
The Lions feel they were unlucky to lose at Eden Park, that it came from a moment of brilliance, and the talents of Steven Luatua, Sonny Bill Williams and Ihaia West aligning to perfection.
The trio have done their homework on the likes of All Blacks front rowers Joe Moody, Owen Franks and Codie Taylor, along with Test locks Sam Whitelock and Luke Romano. Replacements: K Owens (Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), D Cole, M Itoje (both England), CJ Stander (Ireland), R Webb (Wales), J Sexton (Ireland), A Watson (England).
The Lions has only once enjoyed a series victory over New Zealand, back in 1971, and this crop of players will be underdogs playing against an All Blacks side on a record run of 45 unbeaten home games.
Seta Tamanivalu, who played centre for the All Blacks a year ago, will start on the wing for the Crusaders on Saturday, while current All Blacks prop Wyatt Crockett will come off the bench.
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