The Lions are still licking their wounds from a painful 19-13 loss to the Maori in Hamilton last Saturday.

But Munster lock O’Connell, a red-hot favourite to pin down one of the Test team second-row positions against New Zealand in 11 days’ time, believes the setback could have a positive effect.

“I think when you look at it, the reaction to the loss has been great,” the 25-year-old said.

“We stood there in the dressing-room afterwards and had a bit of a chat between all 45 players in the squad.

“That could end up being a landmark game for us on the tour. It was as tough a game as you can get, and it was right up there with Test-standard rugby.”

Ireland flanker Simon Easterby makes his tour bow tomorrow after flying to New Zealand as replacement for a stricken Lawrence Dallaglio.

And there are more back-row injury problems for the Lions, with Leicester flanker Lewis Moody remaining at the squad’s Christchurch base to await further scrutiny on a left knee injury.

Moody’s place among the substitutes against Wellington has been taken by England colleague Richard Hill, and Lions coach Gareth Jenkins revealed Moody is already “out of the selection process” for Saturday’s appointment with Otago in Dunedin.

That effectively sidelines him for first Test contention, in addition to raising questions about his entire tour prospects on a trip when the Lions have already lost his fellow injured forwards Dallaglio, Malcolm O’Kelly and Simon Taylor.

It could also open the door for Easterby to seriously contest a place in the Lions’ Test 22.

Jenkins, meanwhile, is aware of an impressive Wellington pedigree under coach John Plumtree, who was formerly in charge at Swansea and involved in many derbies with Jenkins’ Llanelli side.

“What Wellington have got is a season or two behind them. They are not a new identity, they are a team that has been very successful in Super 12 and National Provincial Championship rugby over the years,” added Jenkins.

“John has done very well down here. He’s moulded this team, and it is very effective and competitive.

“For us, they are all defining games – the next game is the most important game.

“We need to put a performance in, we need to get aspects of our game right and we need to get a winning performance out of ourselves after the performance against the Maori.

“There are two opportunities left for every player on this tour that is selected for the next games to make a statement.

“After that, I think the whole tour will focus on the Tests, and I don’t think there is one single player in our environment who won’t be capable, or able, to realise his responsibility to the Test XV.

“When the time comes and the Test team is actually selected, we will be as bonded and as united as we are now, and we will realise all our responsibilities to give every ounce of every bit of energy towards making that first Test a success for us.”