By Jon Wilkin Great Britain back row

The first Test against New Zealand is going to be a massive challenge for us.

The Haka is an impressive sight

We are all very excited within the camp and are looking forward to what will be no doubt a very heated series, full of passion and national pride.

The Kiwis possess far too many strengths to list here, but I am well aware, from touring with GB last year, that being away from home can galvanise a squad and give the players a very ruthless mentality.

I'm looking forward to seeing the Haka. The players perform it with lots of energy and I think it is a brilliant part of their heritage.

I sometimes wonder what the GB equivalent would be.

606: DEBATE What would you suggest for a GB version of the Haka?

The hokey-cokey perhaps? I am pretty sure the action of 17 large men putting their left leg in and out and then shaking it all about would strike fear and confusion into the hearts of the opposition!

What would be the British equivalent of the Haka? Your thoughts would be interesting?

It was deadly silent when the Great Britain players met up for the first time.

It usually takes a wise crack from one of the experienced international players to break the ice in such situations.

Then everyone is comfortable and it soon becomes clear we are all like-minded, competitive people with lots in common.

We all crack the same jokes and share the same humour, too.

Find a fault in somebody else or you risk being the butt of everybody's jokes for a lifetime.

What usually happens is this: We discover someone is touchy about something and then mercilessly rib them about it at every opportunity.

It is survival of the fittest.

Find a fault in somebody else or you risk being the butt of everybody's jokes for a lifetime.

It can be a brutal environment and I am sure that most people not conditioned to it could easily be reduced to tears.

I often find Ade Gardner weeping into his kit bag in the changing rooms.

Yet this form of humour is one of the best ways to get to know people and build team spirit.

The first few Great Britain training sessions have gone very well and I've enjoyed them a lot.

James Graham - picking up tips from team-mate Jamie Peacock?

I love to be challenged and you certainly get chance to display your strengths in an environment like this.

It's also an opportunity to absorb the best attributes of others.

I find I'm always observing others.

That may sound as though I go around stalking people. I don't, but I did see James Graham sitting in his car watching Jamie Peacock through binoculars.

James had a big smirk on his face, too.