Heading into next year's World Cup in Japan, Steve Hansen's current All Blacks side are even better than the class of 2015 who claimed the Webb Ellis Cup in England, according to legend Dan Carter.
A year out from the 2019 tournament, questions have been asked of Steve Hansen's side, in the wake of a 36-34 loss to South Africa in Wellington showing that the All Blacks can be beaten.
Carter, though, says that the current All Blacks side have progressed far beyond what they were capable of in 2015, with a number of young players ascending into the black jersey.
"They're a fantastic team and I think they've grown from 2015 and I think the World Cup is going to be their biggest test. Historically, post-World Cup, a lot of teams struggle through a bit of a rebuilding phase and the All Blacks didn't do that," he told Sky Sports UK .
"I've been hugely impressed with the current All Blacks side and what they've been able to achieve.
"They've done extremely well over the last couple of years, but as the competition gets better and we move closer to the World Cup, I think that will be the real test to see exactly where this team is at. I'm confident they'll be even stronger in 12 months than they are now."
Speaking ahead of this weekend's clash with Australia in Tokyo, Carter also said that the All Blacks will be motivated against the Wallabies, despite having locked the Bledisloe Cup away for another year.
"Speaking as an ex-All Black, there's no dead-rubber match against Australia and after losing to them in the third Test match last year when we had wrapped up the Bledisloe Cup there will be a little bit of an edge to this game to make sure we don't repeat last year's performance.
"I'm expecting some really exciting, high level international rugby so it's exciting for the Japanese fans."
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