Skipper Richie McCaw revealed it was the hurt of last year's Tri Nations campaign that provided the catalyst for New Zealand's dominant 2010 triumph.

A dramatic 29-22 victory over South Africa in Johannesburg nine days ago saw the All Blacks clinch the title with a game to spare as a fifth win in the competition extended their unbeaten run to 14 games.                                              

It is a stark contrast to last year's campaign, where three defeats to the Springboks saw them relinquish their crown to their southern hemisphere rivals and McCaw admitted that drove the side on to greater heights this year.

"A lot of it's come from a fair bit of disappointment last year, we took a good look at ourselves after the Tri-Nations," he said.

"We haven't changed a whole lot, just the way we implement things. It's hard work that's got us to where most of the guys are playing pretty good rugby.

"There's not too much between the three teams at the moment in the Tri-Nations but we've been able to get some confidence with how we're playing.

"What I was pleased about, especially the two Tests we played against the Springboks in New Zealand, was that every opportunity we got, we took, whereas last year, we created opportunities but didn't take them.

"We put ourselves under pressure and allowed the Springboks to get ahead and when you do that, you play catch-up rugby. In the first four Tests this year, we got ahead and could dictate.

"We're making the most of opportunities and making good decisions. Guys are a year further on, we realised we didn't quite get it right last year, a bit of confidence builds and you back yourselves. I think that's probably the main difference."

With New Zealand in such impressive form, McCaw was also quick to play down suggestions they may have peaked too early with a World Cup on home soil still a year away.

"People talk about peaking, you only peak when you feel you can't get any better," he added.

"Sure we're happy with what we've done so far this year but we'd be kidding ourselves if we thought we were playing good enough for 12 months' time. We've still got to look at ways of improving and I think there's still a lot of potential to do that."

Before that, New Zealand undertake a gruelling five-week tour starting on October 30 with the Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia in Hong Kong, before heading to Europe to face England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales - ideal preparation for next September's showpiece tournament according to McCaw.

"Definitely it's a bit of a dress rehearsal," he said.

"I doubt 15 players will play all five Tests, it's about making sure we keep guys fresh but having the best team we can out on the field.

"That's what happens in a World Cup. Through the pool you've got to make sure that come the right time, everyone's played enough rugby but still have plenty of gas left in the tank and that's always a fine line to get right.

"I think that five-week block, it's important we build on what we've done in the Tri-Nations and not go backwards. We need to keep improving."

McCaw has been part of highly-fancied New Zealand sides that have come up short in the last two World Cups but the flanker stressed he does not dwell on those failures, perhaps the only blemishes on an outstanding career.

"It doesn't get me down," he said.

"Sure I've been through the disappointments of not winning it but hopefully I'm going to be around to have another go at it. I'd love to win it but I don't get hung up to the point it rules my whole life.

"I want to enjoy the rugby now, I don't want to get to the end where whatever happens next year I've forgotten to enjoy the Test matches on the way.

"You've got to take some satisfaction from the fact the team's playing pretty well now."

SOURCE: planetrugby.com

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