One game down, nine more to go.

I was not involved in the opening match but thanks to all the work we have done on building a strong Lions squad spirit we are now a single group, not a collection of individuals.

Everyone was able to take satisfaction from our victory against Western Australia.

It was important to make a loud statement in that first match and the boys managed it.

There were some faults and we will be looking to improve those areas. After all, we've come here to win as many games as possible and 10 out of 10 would be ideal.

But overall it was a very encouraging start and those of us due to play on Tuesday against a Queensland President's XV cannot wait to get out there.

But there is no doubt that by the time we meet Queensland on Saturday then some of the thinking for the Test side will have started to take shape.

Away from the training field, we have tried to maintain something like a normal life.

The other night a group of us were a bit stir-crazy so we gave the local pizzeria the biggest order they have ever had.

Keep in touch

We were given one day off recently which helps keep people sane. Some of the guys went to play golf, another group went to the zoo and others of us went shooting.

We had a go with some Dirty Harry-style magnums but it was all good fun.

I'm already getting some stick off the other boys for the amount of time I spend on the internet.