'Little boy' Stander to come of age
However, the South African-born Ireland back row forward knows he will have to grow up fast against the Blues on Wednesday.
"It's great to get the nod and there was excitement in the team room when the team was selected," Standers said in an interview on the Lions website.
Stander starts at No.8 for the Lions at Eden Park in the second game of the Tour after missing out in Saturday's narrow win over the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians.
Wednesday sees the Lions make history with their first-ever clash against a Kiwi Super Rugby side.
And with the Test series against the All Blacks getting closer all the time, the pressure for places is extremely intense.
But that does not mean the 27-year-old Stander has not also been able to stop and enjoy the unique atmosphere of a Lions Tour.
"It's like I feel like a kid again," he said.
"When you get selected for that first team you can almost believe that you're there, so I'm really looking forward to going out on Wednesday.
"It's great to get the nod and there was excitement in the team room when the team was selected.
"I'm looking forward to it, I think everyone is going to get a chance to get a start, so it's how you're going to use it.
"I'm looking forward to that challenge. We're a group that has a lot of talent, and a lot of guys who have X factor, so I'm looking forward to playing alongside that and just getting to know the lads.
"I put it down to the passion the boys have for the jersey and the excitement everyone has when they get selected."
Stander was in the stands in Pretoria in 2009 for the second Test as the Lions fell to a narrow defeat to the Springboks.
Fast forward eight years and the Munster No 8 is pulling on the red jersey himsel for the first time in a back row that includes a Welshman in Justin Tipuric and an Englishman in James Haskell.
"It's something that you've worked towards," he added. "The passion the boys had in the jersey before, and the four nations coming together, and working towards one goal, to win a series, through a lot of hard work.
"Just be part of a squad based out of those four nations it means that you worked hard to get there. Your job is not done yet, but you're part of it.
"Gats has made it quite clear that when you get a start you're going to have to use it. So, I think you've got one opportunity really to go out there and play your game, to step up and show what you have for those last three games, because those are the important ones.
"All of them are important, but you want to start in those games.
"The competition is very strong, especially in the back row in my department. I like a bit of a challenge, so it's going to be a good game."
Source: @lionsofficial
