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MARSEILLE - All Blacks kingpin Daniel Carter admits the rugby World Cup was like a mental anchor for his team in their tests this year.
The form of New Zealand in their first seven tests of 2007 has provided ammunition for critics who believe the gap has closed between the Cup favourites and the rest of the world.
Rust permeated the home tests against an under-strength France and Canada, even though those lightweight opponents were dispatched with ease.
The Tri-Nations Trophy and Bledisloe Cup were then retained but the best of the All Blacks was still only seen in patches.
First five-eighth Carter admitted they made a slow start in June and their performances against Australia and South Africa also weren't a true reflection of what the All Blacks were capable of in France.
"When the Tri-Nations came we tried to put an emphasis on playing in that," he said.
"But you'd be lying to say that this World Cup wasn't in the back of most of the guys' minds. It probably was in the back of mine.
"Not taking anything away from those two trophies, they mean a lot to this team, but it is a relief to get that out of the way and focus on the big job that we've been working towards for so long."
Surrounded by no fewer than 18 print journalists in the team hotel, Carter said he sensed a mood of anticipation within the squad since they arrived on Saturday.
Touted as a potential star of the tournament, he predicted nerves wouldn't be a factor for him over the coming weeks despite the scale of event.
"There's added pressure in it being a World Cup," he said.
"The best players are around, the best teams. It's exciting and you've got to use that energy to play the best that you possibly can.
"This has been a long time coming for myself ... and to only be a couple of days away is pretty exciting and I'm looking forward to it."
Carter has long been ranked alongside captain Richie McCaw as an indispensable cog in this All Blacks squad, despite the depth coach Graham Henry had developed.
However, Carter rejected a suggestion the result of matches hinged on whether he played well.
"It's important to play well but it's just important that the team are functioning as a team," he said.
"It's been shown in the past if I have an off-game, there are plenty of capable guys in the squad that can step up and put in match-winning performances."
The best example was the record-breaking 47-3 crushing of France in Lyon last November when Carter was off-key but his teammates were in untouchable form.
Carter sits on 636 test points and needs just 10 more to move past superboot Grant Fox into second place on the all-time New Zealand list. Leading is Andrew Mehrtens on 967.
He needs 21 more to move past Argentina's Hugo Porto and into the top 10 scorers from all countries.
The All Blacks trained in gusty winds this morning, with injured lock Keith Robinson again not running although he took a coaching role during lineout drills.
Second five-eighth Luke McAlister and forward utility Reuben Thorne both suffered hamstring twinges which needed icing towards the end of the session but neither is considered serious.
Flanker McCaw appeared dazed after a head clash but continued training after a quick check from team doctor Deb Robinson.
He flew to Paris today for a tournament promotion with the other 20 captains.
- NZPA
