Ben Te'o was one of the few Lions players to standout in the side's tour opener against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on Saturday night.

British and Irish Lions assistant coach Rob Howley believes league-convert Ben Te'o can be a game changer for them on the tour.

The Kiwi-born England international was one of the few shining lights in the Lions' 13-7 win over the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians on Saturday.

Howley told the Daily Mail the 30-year-old is challenging for a place in the test team.

"Ben was primarily an impact player in the Six Nations, but he's certainly a game changer," Howley told the Daily Mail. "He makes things happen when he comes on. I know he can play 13, but for me he's more of a 12.

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"There is a lot of power and pace there over his first five metres. He's very skilful, he's got a lovely offload, and has a point of difference to his game. I think that was a key ingredient in his selection.... having his skill set and his offload out the back is a point of difference for us."

The team is well stacked with midfielders with the likes of Jonathan Joseph, Jonathan Davies and Robbie Henshaw also in the mix.

But another Kiwi is also trying to stake his claim for a starting spot in the midfield in Kiwi-born Irish international Jared Payne.

Payne missed the first match of the tour due to a minor injury, but he is itching to get on the field.

The 31-year-old said he was proud to be named in the Lions by the same coach who dropped him from the Waikato team in 2007 - Warren Gatland.

After moving to Northland and spending time with the Crusaders and Blues, Payne headed to Ireland hoping to fulfil his international rugby ambitions.

He has impressed in his 20 tests since his debut in 2014 which forced his way into the Lions team.

"It was good of Warren of select me [in the Lions], we've come a long way and I'll have to get him to buy me a beer. It's been a good move to Ireland and I've got no complaints, that's for sure.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge of facing New Zealand, they're the best in the world. I want to get stuck in and see if we can get a good result."

The Lions' next match is against the Blues in Auckland on Wednesday.