Neil Back believes the British & Irish Lions still have plenty of room for improvement ahead of the three-Test series against the All Blacks.
Back was at the core, along with prop Gethin Jenkins, hooker Shane Byrne and flanker Simon Easterby, of a solid Lions display up front against Wellington on Wednesday, arguably their best performance of the tour so far.
"I think we are a long way off, but that is purely because of the game time we have had together," said Back.
"It is very limited, so there is still a lot of work to be done, but to be back winning is where I really want to be."
The 36-year-old underlined that age should be no barrier with a typically bustling display at the breakdown and contact areas against a committed Wellington outfit.
The Leicester and England flanker will hang up his playing boots this summer, but he is determined to try and bow out at the highest level.
And the possibility of him pulling on a Lions jersey against the All Blacks next week is looking increasingly likely.
Just a month ago, Back found himself starting a four-week ban for punching Wasps flanker Joe Worsley in the Zurich Premiership final, ruling him out of Lions’ appointments with Argentina, Bay of Plenty, Taranaki and New Zealand Maori.
"All I was concerned about was taking the opportunity (against Wellington). Four weeks ago, receiving that ban, it was difficult to take, but I had to look at it positively," said Back.
"I knew the first opportunity I would get on tour was potentially against Wellington, so that is where my focus has been.
"I had a steady game, but there is a vast improvement I can make as I get to know the other guys."
