While it wasn't the first time former Baby Black West has impressed in an impact role for the Blues he said he hoped it doesn't see him become a regular bench player.
"I prefer to start. But at the same time it's better to be in the 23 than out of the team altogether ... whatever works best for the team."
And West's take on his try?
"Everyone knows what he [Sonny Bill Williams] can do with his offload game. I just tried to get there as fast as I could," said West, who showed his tremendous pace as he weaved his way through three defenders after receiving the unload.
Just as significant as the try for members of his family, including parents Simon and Shona, who were among the 40,000 spectators was the Napier Boys' High School product's leading of the Blues haka, He Toa Takitini (The Strength of Many), which was composed by Whiria Meltzer and Ruka Makiha, two friends called upon by Blues coach Tana Umaga.
"It was special to lead it and I was pretty nervous beforehand. This is the first season we've had our own haka and that was the first time the Blues have done it."
When quizzed if he wanted to surprise his parents with his leader's role, West, who is the most experienced Maori All Black in the Blues side, replied: "They never asked so I never told them."
After the game West swapped jerseys with Johnny Sexton. He has yet to decide whether it will stay in his personal collection or if it will be presented to his Havelock North club.
"It's pretty special to have a Lions jersey. I'll give it a wash before I decide what to do with it," West said.
Yesterday's selection was the fourth time West, a veteran of 54 first-class games for the Magpies since 2012, had been named in a Maori All Black team. He agreed this side was the most experienced.
"It's a pretty exciting squad and I'm just stoked to be a part of it. Hika [Elliot] and Liam [Messam] have returned in the forwards and Damian [McKenzie] and Nehe [Milner-Skudder] are in the backline.
"When you look back on the 2005 Lions tour everyone remembers Dan Carter's performances for the All Blacks first and then the Maori All Blacks' win. Hopefully we can keep that history going," West added.
West's try and Hastings Boys' High School old boy Sam Anderson-Heather scoring for the Provincial Barbarians in their outing against the Lions in Whangarei last weekend will put pressure on Lindisfarne College old boy Israel Dagg. He will be hoping to continue the trend of former Hawke's Bay secondary school students scoring against the Lions when he starts at fullback for the Crusaders against the visitors in Christchurch tomorrow night.
Dagg and fellow Magpie and Chiefs lock Brodie Retallick were predictable selections when the All Black squad to take on Samoa and the Lions was announced yesterday.
