Former Wallabies playmaker Matt Rogers believes teams still fear playing the All Blacks, despite their inconsistent performances this season.
New Zealand lifted the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship, but that result was overshadowed by a stunning defeat to Argentina and a historic series loss to Ireland earlier in the year.
Their up-and-down form has been a regular occurrence, with resounding victories often following famous losses against the likes of the Pumas and South Africa.
After their narrow 38-31 victory over Japan last Saturday, the All Blacks head into a northern tour against opposition that have never fancied their chances more.
But Rogers is adamant the All Blacks aura is not lost and feels they are still the best placed of the Rugby Championship sides to win the Rugby World Cup next year.
"I think belief is a big part of consistency and they're probably lacking a little bit of that right now with their performances," he told Newshub at the Noosa Triathlon.
"From my perspective, from an outsider looking in, you always have a fear for the All Blacks and I think every rugby nation does, because you know when they turn it on, they can win games of rugby.
"The consistency would be the worrying factor for the coaching staff and sometimes that can seep into the playing group - that doubt.
"I think they're still the best bet of the south hemisphere teams."
Rogers played 45 tests for the Wallabies and was part of their 2003 World Cup-winning side, after making the switch from rugby league.
Despite Australia's distant third-placed finish in the Rugby Championship this year, he believes Dave Rennie's men can match it with the best of them.
"I hope they can improve, that's the goal," he said. "I don't know about winning five games, but right now, the big goal is the World Cup.
"It's about improving and trending in the right direction. They haven't been doing that and they need to change direction.
"The thing about a World Cup - it's different to a Bledisloe or tri-series. You just have to win one game at a time - win one game and go to the next.
"We made the final in 2003, no-one gave us a hope to beat New Zealand, but we did - it's just that one game. There's no next week to worry about, you've just got to win that one game.
"I think, on their day, Australia can compete with anyone."
