New Zealand captain Richie McCaw believes his team are under no more pressure than usual heading into their Tri-Nations clash with Australia.

After starting the season with a whimper against France three months ago, the All Blacks have continued to struggle - losing the Tri-Nations crown they have held since 2005 to South Africa after last weekend's defeat in Hamilton.

"Any time you play in the All Blacks there is some (pressure) there, and it's a question of how you deal with it," said McCaw. "You can't allow that to get on top of you. You've got to keep the belief in what you're doing. Obviously after a result like we had last week, the guys are pretty eager to get back out on the field and put it right."

The signs, he reports, are good.

"The guys are pretty proud sort of men and they want to go out and put a good performance together for their mates beside them first and foremost," added McCaw.

"If you do that right for your mates and yourselves you end up doing it right for everyone else - the coaches, the fans and everyone."