And now the respective national anthems are played at a sunkissed Eden Park.

God Save The Queen goes first followed by God Defend New Zealand.

Image source, BBC Sport

Robbie Hunter-Paul
Former New Zealand international on BBC Two

For the first time in a long time, New Zealand has depth in the halves.

Kieran Foran has re-found his form having been in the wilderness for a few years. He's playing some world-class rugby league and he's a general.

You've got Benji Marshall with the x-factor vision and Foran as a general in the middle of the field who will marshal the big blokes.

Denis Betts
Former Great Britain international on BBC Two

You'd like to think that spending time together is going to build a bond, but you can't see beyond the fact that it's still a side that's got players who are playing in different positions to what they've played in all year.

The thing that worries me about the Great Britain side at the moment is that defensively they were ok last week (against Tonga) but they didn't look like scoring a try.

That's where Jackson Hastings has really got to step up and hopefully Jonny Lomax will give some cutting edge as well.

Here come the players.

Adam Blair comes out to rapturous applause as he prepares to make his 50th appearance for New Zealand.

He's only the ninth rugby league player to reach such an international milestone.

Delly: I’m up and ready cup of coffee and a bacon muffin. Come on boys let’s get it done.

Griff: Got up earlier than expected (1.30am instead of 3.30am) so had time to catch up with NFL This Week and Danger Mouse on the iPlayer! Bring it GB Lions!

Image source, Getty Images

Great Britain make three changes from last week's defeat by Tonga as they prepare to face New Zealand.

Lachlan Coote is dropped while Luke Thompson misses out through injury with Oliver Gildart already out of the tour with a dislocated shoulder.

Jonny Lomax, Jake Connor and Tom Burgess come into the starting 13, with Joe Philbin and Daryl Clark joining the bench.

Great Britain: Lomax, McGillvary, Hardaker, Connor, Hall, Widdop, Hastings, Hill, Hodgson, Burgess, Bateman, Whitehead, Graham.

Interchanges: Jones, Philbin, Clark, Walmsley.

Image source, Getty Images

A big change for the hosts this morning.

Kodi Nikorima comes into the New Zealand starting side as Brandon Smith is dropped by the Kiwis.

Adam Blair makes his 50th international appearance.

New Zealand: Tuivasa-Sheck, Maumalo, Nicoll-Klokstad, Manu, Isaako, Foran, Marshall, Tetevano, B. Nikorima, Waerea-Hargreaves, Nikora, K. Bromwich, Tapine.

Replacements: Hughes, Harawira-Naera, Ah Mau, Blair.

BBC Two

You can watch live coverage of the game on BBC Two right now, or by clicking on the play button at the top of the page.

Like me, presenter Mark Chapman was up bright and early for this one...

If you don't manage to stay awake, or you've woken from your slumber and had a quick glance at our live text coverage, there's also a full replay of the match on the BBC Red Button at 09:30, and highlights on BBC One at 13:15.

Thank you for being with me for coverage of Great Britain's first Test against New Zealand for 12 years.

You can get in touch with your views on the game - get involved using #bbcrl on social media.

Jonathan Davies
Former Great Britain international on BBC Two

They got what they expected from Tonga - they knew it would be physical.

This week is going to be exactly the same, but maybe New Zealand are better organised and have better quality half-backs. It'll be very similar - physical, but more control from the Kiwis.

Great Britain's return to the international stage after a 12-year absence ended in defeat this time last week.

They lost 14-6 to a Tonga Invitational XIII - a full-strength Tonga side in all but name - in a fiercely contested game in Hamilton.

Watch highlights by clicking on the play button below.

A bleary-eyed good morning to you all.

"You learn something new everyday" goes the saying. And what have I learned so far today? That you can, in fact, set an alarm and successfully wake up at 00:30.

Fully caffeinated and ready to go, I am here to bring you live coverage as the Great Britain Lions take on New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland.

Can both sides bounce back from defeats by Tonga and Australia respectively last week?

Kick-off is half an hour away.