British and Irish Lions second-row Maro Itoje has said he can't wait to face the All Blacks in Wellington for the second Test, and admits "if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best".
Itoje, who is the youngest member of Warren Gatland's 41-man squad at 22, was left out of the starting XV for the first Test defeat at Eden Park last week, but has been named from the start this time around and says the Lions are ready for the challenge that awaits.
"Whenever you lose, and it does happen when you win but it's arguably more important when you lose, you have a reflection period where you watch the game, realise what's gone wrong and what's gone well, because in any game of rugby, it's hardly ever the case that everything is bad or everything is positive, even when you win," Itoje told Sky Sports News HQ.
"The emphasis is always on winning and about getting the result that we're trying to achieve. To do that everyone has to know their job, everyone has to know their detail, everyone has to be a part of the team and pull their weight.
"I'm very excited. On a personal note it's a great opportunity and great platform to be on to show people what I'm about up against the top team in the world.
"The cliched phrase is, if you want to be the best you have to beat the best, and this is the opportunity we have and I'm fortunate to be part of the team that has the chance to do that.
"I cant wait to get out there."
Gatland has made three changes to his starting XV. Itoje replaces Saracens and England teammate George Kruis, tour skipper Sam Warburton replaces last Saturday's Test skipper Peter O'Mahony, and Johnny Sexton comes in to form a 10-12 axis alongside Owen Farrell with Ben Te'o dropping to the bench.
Itoje admits he has sympathy for those dropped and left out after his experience last week, but stressed nothing is more important than the team.
"As somebody told me on this tour, nothing is neutral. You're either making a positive impact on the team or you're taking away from the team, so you don't want to be the latter," he added.
"Obviously I was disappointed when they announced the team and my name wasn't there as a starter last week.
"I was upset, unhappy, I was all of those things when I wasn't announced, but the thing about being in a team environment and being part of a squad is that you have to play your role, and there's always going to be people who are missing out.
"That's the same at every level of rugby you go to. From club up to international and to here. It's always been the same and I think what you have to do is respond appropriately.
"You can obviously have your moment to yourself where you're frustrated and upset that you're not in the mix, but the most important thing is how you respond and how you make people feel.
"At the end of the day, the most important thing is the team."