Mako Vunipola keen to prove Warren Gatland's criticism wrong

England international Mako Vunipola said he is keen to prove British and Irish Lions head coach Warren Gatland's criticism on the team wrong when he takes the field for the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday.

Gatland urged the visitors to bring in more physicality following their 30-15 defeat in the opening game against Steve Hansen's men at Eden Park. The result also means, Lions face a must-win encounter against All Blacks on Saturday in Wellington.

Despite, the setback in Auckland, Vunipola is confident of taking Gatland's challenge of fighting fire with fire at Westpac Stadium.

"That has stung massively, as a person and as a player, because we're all very competitive players," said Vunipola, of Gatland's criticism.

"It's him laying the gauntlet down. So it's up to us if we take that challenge on or shy away from it.

"I want to get out there and prove him wrong.

"I don't know if he meant it like that, but that's how I took it. So I want to prove him wrong.

"We're going into this game wounded, there's pride on the line with Gats saying about that physicality bar.

"I know emotionally we'll be ready. We have to be. And it's about having that discipline around that too.

"We know they took us on up front and they got the upper hand last weekend, so it's time for us to put in a better account of ourselves.

"We're very lucky we have another opportunity, so it's up to us to take it.

"It's that emotional energy we have to bring. The task is immense really so it's about us performing as a forward pack.

"We've talked about enjoying that level of intensity and physicality.

"We've got to raise the physicality bar and it's up to us to make a statement."

Vunipola was born in Wellington and also had dreams of representing All Blacks at one stage idolising Jonah Lomu. However, now he has returned back to his place of birth taking on the team that he aspired to be part of at early stage of his life.

"I wasn't that old really, maybe eight or nine, I used to watch the All Blacks and be in love with them," said Vunipola.

"That was mostly because of Jonah Lomu, with him being of Tongan heritage like me; I wanted to be like him.

"And being born in Wellington as well, I had a lot of family over here.

"This is actually the first time I've been back since I was a child.

"My dad used to joke around and call me the next Olo Brown. When I was younger I didn't have a clue who he was.

"That was just a nice joke, but obviously it's gone out of the window now."