New Zealand skipper Kieran Read has dismissed claims that his side will lack motivation when they take on Australia in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane.
The Wallabies last won the Bledisloe Cup in 2002 and after the All Blacks were triumphant in Sydney and Dunedin earlier this year, they will hold on to the trophy for the 15th successive year, which means this weekend's clash is effectively a dead rubber.
But Read said motivation is typically high with pride being at stake as well as a desire to put together a performance that says what his All Blacks side are all about.
He believes that any Test that features New Zealand and Australia will ensure minds are focused and attitudes are right.
"We know it is going to be a really tough game," Read told the New Zealand Herald.
"They are a lot more polished than when they started the year. They have got talent. There is no doubt about that. And they can certainly put it together as a full team at the moment. They are really hungry I guess their motivation is high.
"The combinations are smoother and you are used to each other," he said in relation to what he thought consistency of selection had brought the Wallabies this year.
"It tends to correlate to better performances and we have seen that. They are looking good but we have to focus on ourselves."
Read said his side had a relaxed but effective build up and the squad knows what is expected of them performance wise at Suncorp.
"We want to dominate," he added.
"Test matches are funny things. They are hard fought and there is a lot that goes into winning a test especially the Bledisloe Cup…the old enemy…Australia. It's a massive game for us and for them. Getting a win over us is huge and the respect we show for them is that we want to go out and put on a performance that is as high as it can be.
"Every team we play we want to go out there and play well. We respect them enough as a team in that we want to go out there and perform to the highest of our ability."
Read believes the late loss of Matt Todd through a groin strain is unlikely to have any impact on the All Blacks.
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