New Zealand star Dan Carter is confident his side can complete the Grand Slam on their autumn tour of the British Isles
All Blacks gunning for third Grand Slam
New Zealand star Dan Carter is confident his side have what it takes to complete the Grand Slam on their autumn tour of the British Isles.
Carter believes the mental toughness that saw the All Black's come from behind to beat Australia in both of their last two meetings will set his side apart over the next month.
If successful it will be only the third time in their history that New Zealand have completed a Grand Slam tour, the first was in 1978 and the other under Graham Henry in 2005.
"It is always a tough challenge to go for a Grand Slam and often you do have to grind out wins, said Carter.
"We have done that on a couple of occasions now.
"It is good to know we have that character within the side because it goes a long way when you are not playing as well as you would like.
"We are having to rely on our grit to get us through in the second half. To have the heart and character in the team is really rewarding. It can get you out of jail."
Ominous
New Zealand wrapped up an engaging 2008 Bledisloe Cup series 3-1, overhauling Australia 19-14 in Hong Kong after trailing 14-6 in the first half.
A month and a half earlier they had overcome a 10 point deficit to beat the Wallabies 18-24 in Brisbane.
Ominously, Carter warned that the All Blacks were not yet at their best and would continue to improve during the tour.
"It is very satisfying to get through with a win, it sets us up well for the tour," he added.
"We are not all that happy with the way we played. We are better side than that, we are much more skilful and still have a long way to improve.
Rusty
"We were a bit rusty. We have only been together for five days so to come out with a win is great and a good step for us.
"Hopefully as the tour goes on we will get better every week."
New Zealand kick off their tour at Murrayfield against Scotland on November 8 and face Ireland a week later.
On November 22 they play Wales before travelling to Twickenham to take on Martin Johnson's England on the 29th.
