New Zealand are now unbeaten in their last 17 games and enter the Rugby Championship as the universally-recognised No.1 team in world rugby.
Steve Hansen’s troops, who host the British & Irish Lions in 2017, head into the Rugby Championship off the back of a 3-0 series win over England in the summer.
First up could be the All Blacks biggest test yet however with a resurgent Australia awaiting them in Sydney.
Kurtley Beale, whose missed penalty in Brisbane helped the Lions to their historic series victory last summer, starts at No.10 alongside a host of Waratahs who are coming off the back of their Super Rugby title win.
In that final they beat Richie McCaw’s Crusaders and the All Blacks skipper, along with Kieran Read and co will be desperate for revenge.
Today marks the first and only time that the Lions have won a series against the All Blacks, sealing a 2-1 series win back in 1971 with a fourth-Test draw.
That tells you about the All Blacks heritage and McCaw is desperate to continue their fine run.
“Just from a personal point of view, being over here a couple of weeks ago for Super Rugby, to get a chance to come back, have a crack at Bledisloe is pretty exciting," McCaw said.
"It's going to be a good challenge. I think we always realised that, so we're looking forward to it.
“They (Australia) are like us. They had three Tests in June that went alright – three wins – but now with the season ahead, everyone wants to get off to a good start.
“So we certainly need to improve from where we were at and I'm sure from what you hear from the Wallabies, they need to do the same.
“That makes for a pretty good match-up over the next couple of weeks.”
