A defeat or two might help All Blacks - Henry

The All Blacks last lost a test against England at Twickenham, venue of the 2015 final. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks' weak pool at next year's Rugby World Cup and, paradoxically, their stunning success rate of late are giving former coach Sir Graham Henry cause for concern.

Henry went through a similar winning streak as coach of the side before the 2007 World Cup where they were also in a weak pool.

At next year's tournament, which starts a year today, the All Blacks face Argentina, Tonga, Georgia and Namibia in pool C.

If they top the group, a feat the All Blacks have achieved at every World Cup, they will likely face either Ireland, France or Italy in the quarter-finals.

Henry, who coach the side to the World Cup title in 2011, said a defeat before the World Cup would actually help the All Blacks' cause. The side hasn't lost a match in 20 tests.

"A little bit of adversity might be helpful," he said.

"It might not be pleasant, but it could be helpful. You learn a lot from adversity," he said.

Henry said for most sides, the World Cup was everything, but the All Blacks were different. They had to try to win every game and also the World Cup.

That made their task just that bit tougher.