The All Blacks' experience of playing against South Africa will only benefit them on the European leg of their tour of the northern hemisphere, lock Brodie Retallick says.
After not facing the Springboks at all in 2020, the All Blacks and South Africa played out two classic test matches in this year's Rugby Championship.
While the All Blacks claimed a 19-17 victory against South Africa in Townsville, the world champions had the last laugh, with a 31-29 win on the Gold Coast a week later, as both contests came down to the wire.
But even after South Africa have come under fire for their perceived "boring" game plan of relying on their forwards before allowing their halfback and first-five to kick possession away, the All Blacks are about to face similar tactics in Europe.
Arriving in Cardiff ahead of facing Wales this weekend, the All Blacks will also take on Italy, Ireland and France on their northern tour, expected to face similar tactics to what they got from South Africa.
And for Retallick, the side couldn't have asked for better practice than what they got in Australia, before lining up against Wales.
"It was a good lesson, at a good time," Retallick says,
"We played Australia and Argentina, and then came up against South Africa, who played a completely different style. There were definitely elements where we battled to get our game on the field, and even get involved with the ball in the air.
"It's been great, and obviously we've had our two week break to learn from it.
"I'd like to see some improvement from the team heading into these four weeks from what we've learned out of those two games."
With the world still gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic, the All Blacks will also experience a rarity in Wales, with Cardiff's Millennium Stadium allowed to operate at its capacity of more than 73,000 - with tickets already sold out.
And after playing the Rugby Championship mostly at neutral venues, the All Blacks can look forward to a raucous crowd out in the hope of a Welsh victory.
"To play here is special enough, and then what's going on in the world for them to be able to open up and have a full crowd is going to be cool," Retallick adds.
"I know a few of the boys haven't played here before, or it's been a while.
"We're pretty excited to get in there, whether the roof's open or shut I'm not sure, but we're definitely looking forward to it."
The All Blacks have only lost three times to Wales in the 35 tests between the two sides, with the most recent coming in 1953 - also in Cardiff.
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