All Blacks coach Graham Henry thinks Australia and South Africa will give his side a tougher test than the Lions. New Zealand, who beat the Lions 3-0 in the summer, meet South Africa on 6 August in their Tri-Nations opener.
"My gut feeling was that they [the Lions] weren't particularly strong but we didn't know that when we went into the series," said Henry.
"With the Tri-Nations you have got the three best teams in the world. We're going to know where we are after it."
Henry, who coached the losing Lions team in Australia in 2001, added: "I don't think there is any inflated opinion of our own ability.
"Hopefully, it will show some rough edges and things we need to work on because obviously we are not the finished product.
 |  I am sure this series will bring out other wrinkles which we need to iron out |
"But we are pleased with the progress we are making."
The Springboks play Australia in Pretoria on Saturday in the opening match of the tournament.
Henry added he thought the away Tests for the All Blacks this year, in Cape Town next week and in Sydney on 13 August, would put his team under the most pressure.
"Then we are going to find out where the deficiencies are and you have got something to coach," he said.
"What we are trying to do is produce the perfect game.
"We had deficiencies last year and we got third in this championship.
"It showed some deficiencies which we have addressed and I am sure this series will bring out other wrinkles which we need to iron out as well."
MMIX
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