All Black Coach Steve Hansen has put the All Blacks prolonged success down to embracing challenges like the upcoming tier one world record attempt as they prepare to face the Wallabies on Saturday.
Speaking at the team hotel in Auckland, Hansen said the team were very much aware of the record and that acknowledging it made it somewhat easier for the coaching team as well as the squad to prepare.
"It certainly makes it an easier week because once you embrace something like [the World record attempt], it becomes a challenge and this group has shown that it likes challenges", he said.
"We've got two choices. We can try and ignore it and enjoy it when it happens or we can say 'yes this is an opportunity'. We've chosen to say 'yes this is an opportunity, it's there right in front of us, what are we going to do about it?'
"Obviously Australia is going to have something to say about it but we're going to have something to say about it too."
When asked about how it was different to previous All Black sides, Hansen said that it was a change in perspective and how the side approached milestones, whether it's a tier one world record or a Rugby World Cup.
"I think the biggest adjustment is that we've actually acknowledged it to ourselves.
"It's something that we learnt about with Rugby World Cups and the fact the All Blacks is an environment where there's constant pressure. Once we embraced the fact that there's constant pressure, it seemed to actually ease the pressure a bit".
If the All Blacks win against the Wallabies on Saturday night at Eden Park they will break the tier one world record for the consecutive wins. And while Hansen said the team had often discussed it, he said that it was equally as important to enjoy the time.
"It's important that you enjoy the moment as well.
"It doesn't matter what Test match you play, it’s a great opportunity and one we're very grateful to have because not everyone gets to do it."
Newshub.
