Wyn Jones is ready for the ‘intensity’ to rise once more

ALUN Wyn Jones believes the intensity will “go up again” when the British and Irish Lions target Test series glory against world champions New Zealand.

Jones captained the Lions when they faced a series decider in Australia four years ago, overseeing a spectacular performance as the Wallabies were routed 41-16.

The All Blacks, though, will protect a 23-year unbeaten record at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday, and are on the rebound from a 24-21 second Test defeat, their first loss in New Zealand since 2009.

The Lions have now decamped to the tourist haven of Queenstown in New Zealand’s Southern Alps for a few days’ rest and recuperation — however, talk is already turning towards another huge confrontation against the All Blacks.

“At this stage of the tour, you have to enjoy the moment, but it’s a level series, which is all it is at the minute,” Wales and Lions lock Jones said.

“We responded to our performance from last week, and no doubt they will do the same this week. So we need to build and be ready for what they’ve got this week.

“We know the intensity with what’s at stake will go up again like it did four years ago and very little will change.

“When you quantify intensity, is it being accurate? Is it keeping them down? Is it not putting the ball out dead?

“I think if we can do all these things and maintain that intensity for a longer period, it should go some way towards improving our performance for the third Test.”

Jones (31) was part of a Lions pack that had its physicality questioned following a tame showing in the opening Test.

However, an outstanding response underpinned a first Lions victory over New Zealand for 24 years.

“If you look at the games we’ve played previously, probably the Crusaders game in particular (a 12-3 win on June 10), we showed elements of what we can do as a pack,” Wales skipper Jones added.

“We had to answer questions again and, on the back of those comments (criticism of the pack) last week, I felt we did that.

“Individual people make packs, and when you do your individual role in that, you get a complete pack. For the large part there was a lot of that, particularly in the first half.

“We were stressed going down to 14 men with the yellow card for Mako Vunipola and they were in the ascendancy in the first 15 or 20 minutes in the second half — but we were able to weather the storm.”