Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has fired up at complaints that the all-conquering side are too good - especially if those moaning are New Zealanders.

New Zealand, two-time world champions and eyeing a world-record 18 consecutive wins when they meet the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday, have been subject to some claims that their dominance is bad for the sport.

That doesn't wash with McCaw, who says the team refuses to let their guard down, knowing other teams are desperate to take their spot at the top of ladder.

"People say 'oh, the All Blacks are really dominant' but look, that can change quick if you let your guard down," he told Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

"From a rugby point of view, it annoys me when Kiwis say 'oh it's not like it used to be, when games were close'. Well, they used to moan when it was close that we hadn't played well.

"If you let the standard drop a wee bit ... the scoreboards might see certain things but there isn’t much between the top teams in the world.