Wales scrum-half Mike Phillips landed in New Zealand on Friday and declared: “I want to test myself against the best.”
He arrived in Auckland with the Wales squad for a two-Test tour which will pit Warren Gatland’s team against the mighty All Blacks in their own backyard.
Wales are starting their tour in the country’s biggest city, which is a potential venue if they achieve a quarter-final place in the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
The first Test of the tour will be in Dunedin, but Wales will then spend the bulk of their stay in Hamilton, which will also be an important World Cup base.
“This is a great place to come to play rugby and test yourself against the very best,” said Phillips, just hours after touching down in New Zealand.
“For me it is a chance to put down a marker and to see what I can do.
“I am determined to give my best because the opportunity is massive and is exciting for any rugby player.”
Wales arrived in New Zealand eight days before the first Test in Dunedin to fully attune to the massive time change well ahead of the Carisbrook Test match.
“We’re already starting to train but one of the first priorities will be to watch the All Blacks take on Ireland,” added Phillips in reference to Saturday’s clash in New Plymouth.
“It’s a good opportunity to look at some of their attacking options and we will take full advantage of that.
“I came here to New Zealand with the U21 side in 2003 so I am delighted to be back here again.
“We’ve got a full week to prepare for the first Test this time and that means we can get ready in the right way. We all want to give it everything we’ve got.
“The Rugby World Cup in 2011 will be in the back of all our minds as we prepare for the Test matches.
“But the reality for any international player is that a week is a long time in rugby and we are all focused on the first game against the All Blacks.
“Obviously the boys are very tired after the long journey down from Wales but we are confident and determined.
“A lot of positives came out of the South Africa game for us to work on and we know we have to use those positives now. You have to believe in yourselves and I know we are confident.
“It’s a very long way to come to play rugby and we all regard it as a truly great honour to be here in New Zealand.”
The team held gym sessions within hours of stepping off the plane in New Zealand and on Saturday plan their first full outdoor training session.
“The team have just been on one of the longest journeys you can have as a rugby player to take on top-class opposition and the first priority is to get over the tiredness,” said team manager Alan Phillips.
“They have all been to the gym within hours of getting off the plane and there will be outdoor sessions over the weekend where tired legs will be stretched.
“Then from Monday we will be full on and into preparations to take on the All Blacks.”
