New Zealand's world rugby player of the year Beauden Barrett is expecting the British and Irish Lions Test series to be a brutal attritional and tactical battle.
The 25-year-old has filled the huge void left by Dan Carter's retirement at fly-half with aplomb, including impressing in the 3-0 Test series whitewash of Wales last year.
He thinks the Lions will play in a similar fashion to that Kiwi Joe Schmidt has employed with Ireland.
Barrett is well aware of Ireland's strengths having been on the receiving end of a historic defeat last November in Chicago before quickly gaining revenge in a bruising encounter in Dublin.
"I remember them (the Lions) being over in 2005 and, having experienced northern hemisphere rugby of late, it's going to be huge," said Barrett.
"We've learned a lot about our game, so perhaps we'll adapt better when they arrive.
"It's certainly different to Super Rugby and the general way we play down south. It's very forward and set piece-orientated. It's often a defensive, tactical game.
"I wouldn't say it's hugely free-flowing. It's real Test match footy. It's applying pressure.
"It's hard to explain, actually, but it's how you've seen Ireland play, in particular."
Barrett, who turned down the opportunity to play in the sevens tournament at last year's Olympics to focus on making the fly-half spot his own, said pleasing the crowd is not what matters during the Test series.
"For me, it's about getting the balance right," said Barrett. "If it's on to kick 10 times out of 10, you keep doing it.
"You don't stop to think, 'We're doing this too much'.
"You hammer it home. You've got to get the ball into space, and there are many different ways of doing that."
However, Barrett is keen to make the point that All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen is adept to changing his tactics.
"The great thing about this team is that we're not conservative," said Barrett.
"We're encouraged to put ourselves under pressure and deliver plays. It's great."
Barrett, who credits being brought into the leadership circle of the team as boosting his self-confidence, admits he needs to add more steel to his game.
His likely opposition in Lions counterpart Jonathan Sexton is certainly not lacking in this department which has helped focus the mind of the New Zealander.
"That's probably an area where I've got work to do," said Barrett.
"It's always going to be difficult for me, just because of my personality.
"I've had to learn how to have those uncomfortable situations that no one really likes to have.
"But the team vision is always in mind, that's what you're trying to align everyone with."
Lions head coach and New Zealander Warren Gatland is bidding to emulate the 1971 team who beat the All Blacks in their own back yard.