British and Irish Lions coach Warren Gatland knows his side will have to be put through hell if they are to be ready for the All Blacks on June 24 and the Auckland Blues will provide the ideal trial by fire for his side on Wednesday.
Spencer reiterated the Lions' sole frustration on their touring plan remains the lack of preparation time in advance of flying out to New Zealand - not their punishing 10-match schedule or playing their first match just three days after touching down.
"I kind of look and say: 'Did that start when we were successful at Wasps, or was that when I was coaching Waikato to the Air New Zealand Cup, or when did a certain style change?'"
Ken Owens will captain the British & Irish Lions against the Blues at Eden Park on Wednesday night. "He has captained the Scarlets and assumed a leadership role within the camp and it is a great opportunity for him".
British and Irish Lions team to face the Blues on Wednesday: L Halfpenny (Wales), J Nowell (England), J Payne, R Henshaw (both Ireland), E Daly (England), D Biggar, R Webb (both Wales), J McGrath (Ireland), K Owens (Wales, capt), D Cole, M Itoje, C Lawes, J Haskell (all England), J Tipuric (Wales), CJ Stander (Ireland). Instead they had to see off a late surge from the home side before they could celebrate getting their tour off to a winning start.
"We get thrown into hard situations but that's how you find out about yourself as a team", Warburton said.
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"There'll be a big emphasis on physicality up front, with big, strong ball runners in the middle of the park".
"We know we didn't play too well on Saturday (and). there are some things we need to work on", he told reporters in Auckland on Monday when he named his side for the Blues clash.
"Look, a few years ago Brian Smith coined the phrase "Warrenball" and I don't know whether that was because he was jealous of how much success we had". The message to the players is that we want to play positive rugby, we want to be able to move the ball and shift it and create chances.
Farrell's conversion gave the Lions a 13-7 lead, though he should have added three more in the 66th minute when first penalty effort struck the post, and it would prove to be the last scoring opportunity for either side as the tourists chalked up their first win of the series in worryingly unconvincing fashion.
Replacements: 16-Rory Best, 17-Joe Marler, 18-Kyle Sinckler, 19-Iain Henderson, 20-Peter O'Mahony, 21-Greig Laidlaw, 22-Jonathan Sexton, 23-Liam Williams. "We are hoping for some good weather and are expecting a tough, fast and open game of rugby".
"When the opposition become highly motivated Super Rugby teams, the opportunities for the Lions will have an even shorter shelf-life and the reaction times have to be phenomenally good to see, react and expose".
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