Wednesday 21 June 2017 09:39, UK
Second-row Sam Whitelock says New Zealand players will find motivation easy when they face the Lions on Saturday.
The Lions will play their first Test match for 12 years on New Zealand soil this weekend when they tackle the All Blacks at Eden Park.
And while 85-time international Whitelock intends to do everything in his power to silence the Lions' roar, he fully understands Saturday's historical importance.
"This first Test sits right up there," he said. "It is something only a few great All Blacks get to do.
"Some guys can have outstanding 10-year careers and never get to play against them (Lions). It's very fortunate for this current squad to be involved.
"Comparing it to other big games, there is a similar amount of pressure there, with the hype and the atmosphere. It has been one of those things that we've been talking about all year.
"Now it's here, and the boys are really excited about it. You can see the energy out there. It is something really easy to get up for.
"You ask anyone walking down the street, and they will talk about previous tours, whether it be the Lions or other international sides, playing three-Test series.
"Playing the same team three times is a challenge, and hopefully these tours stay around."
Whitelock has already experienced at first hand the Lions' quality, captaining the Crusaders when they suffered a 12-3 defeat against them in Christchurch 11 days ago.
"The Lions really suffocated us and put pressure on us," he added.
"Our discipline in the Crusaders game was not anywhere near where it had been throughout the year, and we suffered because of it and allowed them to kick to the corners, kick penalties and build scoreboard pressure through it.
"There were good learnings for myself and the other guys involved, and hopefully we've passed those on to the whole squad."
