New Zealand fly-half Daniel Carter says the forthcoming Test series against the Lions will be the "toughest challenge" the All Blacks have faced. The Canterbury half-back will play in the first Test this Saturday and has dismissed claims that the All Blacks will easily seal a 3-0 series win.
"It is going to be probably the biggest challenge the All Blacks have faced," he said. "It's going to be tough.
"It is going to be huge, right up there with the biggest games I've played in."
The 23-year-old has become one of the game's biggest stars and New Zealand will be looking to him to fire his side in Christchurch this weekend.
"A Lions tour only happens once in your career, if you are lucky, so I am really excited about the opportunity ahead," he said.
"You can't sit there and see how they've played over the past few years - you can only really look at the games they have played on tour, and even then, you can't take too much from those.
"I think the Lions have made big steps. It is always going to be tough, with changing players for each game, but there has been an improvement in the way they've played."
New Zealand have only played one game this year and that saw Graham Henry's men thump Fiji 91-0 earlier this month.
But although that result against a poor Fiji side will not have sent shockwaves around the sport, their 45-6 crushing of France in Paris last November did.
"We will have to step up another level from what we did against the French if we are going to come out on top this weekend," said Carter.
"Our main focus is on us. Training is about what we want to do and what we want to get out of the game.
"We would have liked longer together, but the way it has worked out, we haven't had a chance with the Super 12 going along. But the time we've had together - three or four weeks now - we've covered a lot.
"You want to get the first one under the belt. Both sides see it as very important to come out with a win.
"We will try and get all the boys involved nice and early, so they can get their hands on the ball.
"It will be huge on Saturday. They love their rugby in Christchurch, and I am really looking forward to it - I just can't wait."
MMIX
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They love their rugby in Christchurch, and I am really looking forward to it - I just can't wait