Former All Black coach Laurie Mains says it is a good thing the All Blacks have not been nailing every performance so far this season.
The side lost to the Springboks last Saturday night and has been a mixed bag in a couple of other tests this year.
But Mains said perfection was not ideal when looking ahead to the big show in 12 months.
''I would be really worried if we were turning it on all the time. You look at the All Blacks' performances and they have been good in some games and not as good in others,'' Mains said.
''But that is a good thing. It gives the guys something to focus on over the summer break. The coaches still have to be active, working on their game and cannot rest . . . any team that plays, it is good to have work-ons that they can improve on.''
Mains, who coached the 1995 All Blacks to the Rugby World Cup final, only to lose to South Africa in extra time, said the All Blacks were in a good place.
''I think we are in a position as good as we would hope to be. We have got great depth at the moment and a core group of 11-12 players in our starting XV that you could argue are the best in their positions in the world.
''And provided they get enough rest before the World Cup and they do not pick up injuries then we have a very good team.
''I look at something like the locks. We have two there who are the best in the world and then below them, the third guy, he is not far behind. We have true quality players backing them up.''
He said the production of top players was a credit to the Super Rugby teams and coaches who were able to identify talent and develop it.
''They have brought them through and the All Blacks
coaches are finishing them off.''
The culture of the current All Blacks was also helping new players who came into the team.
''Any new player into the team gets so much help and guidance. We are in one of those eras where the players are freakishly good. They can create things through the sheer quality of players. Create something out of nothing.
''You look at the two Smiths, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane. You have to be careful as you could name so many.''
Mains said the side could identify a game plan and stick to it. Personal standards within the team help the side execute the game plan.
As for the loss in Wellington on Saturday night, he was not surprised how well the Springboks played.
He had coached Rassie Erasmus and said he was always a deep thinker who knew how to get the best out of his team.
But he was confident the All Blacks would go to South Africa and win next month.
Mains said World Cups were not easy to win and once it got to knock-out play anything could happen.
''But the All Blacks are in the best position than any other team in the world . . . in a World Cup you have to rest players going into the playoffs. We have the depth in positions. I just love the way they play, just marvel at the skill factor.''