New Lions captain Gareth Thomas has revealed his determination to turn a one-sided Test series on its head and cause a few overdue problems for the All Blacks.

Head coach Sir Clive Woodward is banking on Wales star Thomas' infectious personality to help lift the gloom following last week's first Test debacle.

Woodward knows there will be no second chances if the All Blacks repeat their victory in Christchurch last weekend, therefore clinching the series with one match remaining.

It is a nightmare scenario which World Cup winner Woodward dare not contemplate, especially given this tour's status as the most expensive in Lions history.

The Lions will be heroes if they can send the series into an Auckland decider tomorrow week, or costly flops should the All Blacks inflict further misery at Westpac Stadium.

And the Lions have no option but to do it the hard way, with captain Brian O'Driscoll and flanker Richard Hill suffering tour-ending injuries last weekend and lock Danny Grewcock landing a two-month ban for biting All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu.

Woodward has already put his cards on the table by making 11 changes, including four positional switches in a back division which sees Thomas at outside centre and Jonny Wilkinson returned to fly-half.

''We haven't really shown anything yet as a back-line, we haven't had chance to. We haven't thrown anything at them yet,'' said Thomas.

''All the talk has been about them (New Zealand), and rightly so, because they were the better team last Saturday, but hopefully, if we can come and play then we can show some things to them that maybe they are not prepared for.

''I don't think we can say we are going to change our strategy, because I think last Saturday we didn't exactly play with much of a strategy.

''We are going to go out there and try to play this time, taking the game to them.

''And hopefully, come the end of the match, the guys can stand there and look at each other and say at least we tried our best today, whatever the result.''

A Test series triumph in New Zealand would complete an astonishing season for Thomas, who began Wales' Six Nations Grand Slam campaign as captain before injury struck, and then helped his club Toulouse lift the Heineken Cup.

''It has helped me being at Toulouse,'' he said. ''Playing for such a massive club with massive expectations, every game we play is against teams who want to go out and beat Toulouse.

''So I know what it is like to be under pressure, and I know what it is like when things are always against you. I think I am a much better player and a much better person as a result.''

The 83 times-capped Thomas, Wales' record international try-scorer with 34 touchdowns, has no qualms about switching from wing to centre.

It was the position he filled during early stages of a Test career which began 10 years ago, and his midfield partnership with Gavin Henson could help ignite what has so far proved a damp squib of a tour.

''I played for Toulouse about five or six times in the centre this season,'' added Thomas.

''I haven't played there for Wales for a long time, but as far as I am concerned, I will line up from set-plays in the centre. In the modern game, you need to be able to do everything effectively around the park.

''We've got forwards standing in the back-line, and you expect them to be able to pass, and we've got backs in the rucks, and you expect them to be able to ruck.

''As for Gavin, he is one of the most natural talents as a rugby player I've ever seen. He can kick the ball miles, he's got great feet, great hands and great vision.

''He's also got great time on the ball, and everyone knows that someone who can create time for themselves is a class player. But also, I think his attitude towards rugby and training kind of stands him out.''