Mako Vunipola insists British & Irish Lions will need to improve before facing All Blacks
Saturday 10 June 2017 23:22, UK
Mako Vunipola is aware the British & Irish Lions will need to reach another level if they are to earn a series victory against New Zealand, despite impressing in defeating the Crusaders.
The England prop was one of a number of strong performers as Warren Gatland's side secured a deserved victory in Christchurch with a purposeful performance.
The Crusaders suffered their first defeat of the season, with the Lions defence nullifying a dangerous Crusaders attack, but Vunipola was in no doubt the All Blacks will be a far tougher prospect.
"I think it is only a start," said Vunipola of the Lions' second tour victory.
"We knew the challenge ahead of us. They have got some very good All Blacks players in that team and it was a good hit-out but that is all it is really.
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"The Crusaders are a good team but the All Blacks are a step up. As a team we are preparing for Tuesday's game against the Highlanders but we are very pleased about how it went and hopefully we can look at the review and see what else we could have done better."
The Lions squad, including coach Gatland, have been under intense pressure since arriving in New Zealand and on the back of their midweek defeat to the Blues.
Vunipola insisted the Lions squad haven't paid any attention to the criticism, claiming they must block out the bluster to focus on preparing for the three-Test series.
"We didn't talk about the critics that much," said Vunipola. "It is key for us as a team to ignore the outside noise, the stuff going on outside, and focus in on what we need to do as a team.
"We know that things were being said about us, but we were frustrated with the result on Wednesday (the 22-16 Blues defeat) as well.
"It was more of a case that the 23 that went out there today went out to try and do their best for the 41."
