Sean Fitzpatrick: All Blacks face first test mauling

If the Lions are going to win a test in New Zealand, I think it will be the first test. In a three-test series, that first one is absolutely vital and I believe the Lions will go into this match with a better build-up than the All Blacks.

Why? Three reasons: the intensity of the rugby being played in Britain; the teams the Lions will face before the first test; and the comparative lightness of the All Black build-up.

At the moment, I am watching the last games in the Zurich Premiership. The intensity of these games is right up there. In terms of forward play, it's about as close as you can get to test-match intensity.

Compare that to the Super 12 which, as I have said before, I think hinders our progress as a test nation. Week-in, week-out the All Blacks are not exposed to test-match standards at scrum, lineout, ruck and maul.

I also heard Graham Henry saying last year that he wanted to continue in the Super 12 what the All Blacks achieved against France.

Well, I have seen a lot of the Super 12 and I haven't seen that type of game played by anyone outside the Highlanders and, partly, by the Crusaders.

I just haven't witnessed the same power play where they throw large numbers of forwards into the breakdown area.

We need a very physical and aggressive approach. And the scrums and lineouts, well, I think they've been largely non-existent in comparison to what is happening in the Zurich Premiership. When you watch the Super 12 in the UK mornings and the Premiership in the afternoon, the difference is marked, believe me.

In the Premiership, you see a real contest for the ball at the breakdown. In the Super 12, you still see two guys from one side taking on five guys from the other.

After all this Premiership intensity, the Lions kick-off competitive action by playing Argentina on May 23. They will face the Bay of Plenty, Taranaki, New Zealand Maori, Wellington, Otago and Southland before the first test. This is an ideal situation for them.

I don't think a lot of the Lions know what is going to hit them here. The Gavin Hensons of this world might have heard about rugby in New Zealand but they haven't experienced the reality yet.

It will be a shock to their systems - but the Lions will benefit from it. It will harden them and prepare them for the test. I mean no disrespect to Fiji but they are not the Lions and that is the only build-up the All Blacks will have, apart from those All Blacks released for the Maori match.

I think if you look at those two build-ups, it is clear the All Blacks risk being underdone for that first test. But I am very confident we will win the series.

I think we can play the power game and win. A lot of people are saying we have to win it out wide. I think we have to win it up front.

Frankly, I think the Lions will have a fairly average front row. If we get Carl Hayman, Anton Oliver and Tony Woodcock and take it to them, I think the All Blacks will win.

I'm sure Graham Henry has it all under control ... but that first test worries me.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY