Wellington are hoping to put a disastrous week behind them when they play Waikato in the Mitre 10 Cup rugby competition this weekend.
Mark Reddish is action for the Lions. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
After stringing together a five game win streak, Wellington were put to the sword suffering two heavy defeats against, Manawatu, 50-28, and Taranaki, 54-31.
Captain Brad Shields said despite the losses the team hadn't taken a step back.
"Losing a couple games you tend to look at what your doing wrong, but I think it's a good learning the last couple weeks," Shields said.
"We just haven't fronted physically in these game and I think we have just gotten beaten up a little bit and our games been destroyed because of that. So if that's one thing we take out of it, now we have to bring that physicality to the game."
The Lions will need to muscle up when they square off with the Waikato at Westpac Stadium on Saturday night.
Waikato come into the game with mixed form. After losing the Ranfurly Shield to Canterbury in a close encounter, they were punished by Northland 48-27, the Taniwha's first win since 2014.
However, they bounced back by putting away a disappointing Hawkes Bay outfit, 46-22.
Shields said they are expecting a big challenge from the mooloo men.
"They bring it every week. They have a big pack and they're not afraid to rumble it up. I think the main thing for us that we've got to stick to what we do best.
"We have played some good rugby this year, so do the things we do best, stick to the game plan and bring that physicality as I said and we should be sweet."
Shields was coy when discussing this seasons experimental laws not being adopted to super and international rugby.
"I don't want to bag them to much because we have to play them the next couple weeks but they're different and sometimes it's hard to adjust too.
"All the refs are different and players are obviously seeing the rules a bit different."
A seasoned veteran at the age of 25, Shields still holds aspirations of pulling on the black jersey.
"It's always in the back of your mind and I suppose the first thing is you've got to play good rugby for your club and for your super franchise.
"Consistency is a huge thing for me, but as I said its in the back of your mind, but first things first we've just got to go out and play a good game against Waikato.
"Basically as a player you kind of know what your need to work on, you watch your own game and they're obviously looking for big rocks as well."
