Rob Howley feels Alun Wyn Jones is back to his best ahead of a special night for him and the British and Irish Lions in Auckland.
The Wales lock will become just the seventh man to play in nine successive Lions Tests when he lines up for the series decider against New Zealand at Eden Park.
Jones' place was under pressure after the 30-15 defeat in the first Test, but he started the second match in the series and played a pivotal role in the 24-21 victory in Wellington which set up Saturday's encounter.
And Wales and Lions assistant coach Howley now expects the veteran second row to inspire the rest of the pack to further heights when they try to seal a famous series victory.
"Alun Wyn, that achievement on the weekend, it's something which is very special," said Howley.
"He joins a unique group of players, when you look at Mike Gibson, Willie John McBride, Gareth Edwards.
"For Alun Wyn to achieve what he's done on the weekend is something which is magic. It's quite unbelievable.
"In adversity, you find out about players and coaches, and he's been able to dust himself off, and mentally get in a place where he needs to be.
"And I thought you saw from a physicality perspective and his decision-making last week, that it was an excellent performance.
"We probably need to go another level in every department and we all understand that."
Jones will again partner Maro Itoje in the Lions second row and Howley says their battle against Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock will be hugely important in determining the result.
"Alun Wyn has been outstanding, obviously he's a very intelligent rugby player," Howley added. "There's strong balance in that second row, with Maro (Itoje), with his physicality, energy and skill-set.
"That's something that we've said over the last 12 months, the point of difference when you play New Zealand is the front-five.
"It's the skill-set, it's the energy and what they bring. And at this moment in time we feel we're matching them in that area, and which allows us to play.
"That was important last weekend, and that's the challenge once again. It's a new game and a new experience and that will need to happen on Saturday.