By Gareth Thomas Wales captain and record try scorer

I finally arrived on Tuesday and it's been a strange experience, arriving late to the party.

I've been struggling after the long flight, and while the other guys have had a long time together I'm walking round introducing myself to a lot of them.

The whole country is flat-out mad on rugby

They haven't really let me train with everyone else yet, so I'm just looking forward to strapping on the boots.

I'll feel a lot more part of things then and everything else will come.

Although I was desperate to get out here, I was in a strange situation because I was 100% committed to Toulouse and desperate to get to the French championship final with them.

We lost 23-18 to Stade Francais in the semi-final and that was just devastating.

There's no doubt I have some catching up to do with the Lions and it's up to me to take my chance, but I'm not buying into what everyone is saying about being "desperate to get into the Test team".

Of course you want that, it's the nature of rugby, but for me the ultimate goal is to make sure this party of 40-odd players comes away having had a successful tour.

It's a hell of a challenge. In my short time in New Zealand it's clear that the whole country is flat-out mad on rugby.

There's all this talk about the number 10 when I'm clearly the only man for the job!

It's crazy, all over every TV channel, they live and breathe the game, so to come away with a series victory would be something amazing.

I know my station in things. I haven't come out here especially to be a leader, but if I feel there's something I need to say I won't be holding back.

The one thing people keep asking me is where I'd like to play in the back line.

The guys who have played in the back three so far have all put in some awesome displays, but I think my role in the team is obvious.

There's all this talk about the number 10 when I'm clearly the only man for the job - there's no argument!