AIX-EN-PROVENCE (Reuters) - Canoe races, bike rides, swimming and golf are some of the activities laid on by the New Zealand coaching staff to break the monotony of training during the World Cup.

"It is great for the team atmosphere and morale," flyhalf Dan Carter told reporters. "We train on the rugby field four or five days a week so it is good to get a bit of variety. If you were just training rugby you'd get a bit stale."

Loose forward Rodney So'oialo said the alternative pursuits were reinforcing team spirit and ensuring the players were fresh for each game.

"I'm loving this World Cup," the number eight told Reuters. "The boys get along really well together. It makes it a lot easier and more enjoyable. We are trying to make sure that everyone is fizzed and ready to go at the weekend and the boys are really enjoying the trainings.

"It is good to get the balance right and the management know that the best way to get results is making sure the boys are happy. Getting that balance on and off the field is a great ingredient to playing well."

Hooker Keven Mealamu believes that the relaxed atmosphere within the squad had allowed them to cope better with the pressure of being favourites for the World Cup.

"It has been a little different because people have put a lot of pressure on us in the last couple of World Cups.

"But I think that this side has been a lot better at controlling that pressure and putting it to one side and really enjoying being All Blacks and playing some good rugby as well."

New Zealand top Pool C with 184 points and 27 tries in their first two games against Italy and Portugal. They face Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday and wind up the pool stage with a game against Romania in Toulouse the following Saturday.

Should everything go to plan, they will meet the runners-up from a tough Pool D which includes Argentina, France and Ireland in the quarter-finals.