Former captain Richie McCaw has expressed his displeasure over complaints the All Blacks are now too good.
McCaw told the Australian newspaper The Sunday Telegraph, "It annoys me when Kiwis say, 'Oh it's not like it used to be, when games were close."
"Well, they used to moan when it was close that we hadn't played well," he said.
McCaw expects the All Blacks to win their 18th test in a row this weekend against Australia, and take the record for most successive wins among top tier nations.
However, despite their winning run, he said there was still not a lot between the leading nations.
"It doesn't take that much... if something is off, confidence is down ... for things to turn around really quickly."
Richie McCaw and Dan Carter after the All Blacks Rugby World Cup win. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The departure of McCaw, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith and Ma'a Nonu from the All Blacks had not seen standards drop.
McCaw said if standards had dropped it would have been a reflection on the departing players too.
"It would have said a bit about how we left it as well. The one good thing about the All Blacks is no matter who the individual is, the All Black name is always going to carry on," he said.
"From my point of view, sitting back and seeing that, you get a lot of pride in the team not only just rolling on, but getting better even."
Richie McCaw Photo: RNZ / Max Towle
There was no reason to suggest the All Blacks' winning run would end, he said.
"People say at some point it has to come to an end but that's just a perception I think.
"As long as you keep each week readying yourself to put the performance out there, you can keep going."
