Kieran Read, who has missed the past six weeks because of a broken thumb, said yesterday he had been back training fully for a week and a-half and was confident he would be able to last the game.
"I feel spot on, feeling really good. I have had a good week and a half of training and can’t wait until tomorrow," he said.
"I can handle a handshake so I should be able to handle 80 minutes of test footy. It is a little bit of unknown. But I’m fresh, the body is in good nick so the emotions and the adrenaline will kick in tomorrow."
He said the side was aware of the Lions strengths — the ability to slow down the ball, their kicking game — but the side was concentrating on his own game.
"There are certain ways around a rush defence, or whatever you call it. But I think it will just come down to the simple things, done well.
"Playing the rugby at the right end of the field is one. Our set piece is crucial and making sure our lineouts are spot on. That is what rugby is about."
But there was no denying the hype around the game.
"This series had been built as pretty big. We have finally got to that point where both teams are raring to go. The whole history of the Lions is not lost on us as All Blacks. We’ve only got a certain number [of players] who have got the opportunity to play them during their career."
Read felt tonight’s test was different from a World Cup final or other big games he had played in and it was a case of adapting as quick as possible — "whatever gets thrown our way we will try to overcome it."
He said as a leader he could not get tired, no matter how bad he was feeling because of the lack of match play.
He felt the Lions were a tough side, and had been picked on form.
It would be Read’s 98th test and that experience would help in the expected physical battle.
He would wear a guard on his thumb but it was nothing unusual and would not have to be checked by the officials before the game.