Steve Hansen says the 2017 Lions will prove a far tougher nut to crack than the Wales team beaten by the All Blacks earlier this year.
The New Zealand coach is getting ready for the challenge of the tourists, having firmly underlined his country’s top-ranked status in the world game.
Despite losing to Ireland last month, the All Blacks still have a clear lead at the summit of the world rankings, although Hansen says the challenge of the Lions will be a step up from what Wales could throw at them under the same coach, Warren Gatland.
Hansen told Radio Sport in New Zealand, ““The quality of play will be a lot higher than we’ve had from the Welsh team.
“That’s no disrespect to the Welsh team, it’s just the quality of the people they’re going to have in that squad.”
Wales lost their summer series 3-0 to the All Blacks in June, ending the trip on the receiving end of a 46-6 thumping.
But the combined might of the Lions will mean the All Blacks face a much tougher task this summer, says the former Wales coach who left for home 12 years ago.
“In every position they’ve got real depth. These guys are going to be able to play a really strong midweek team and also have a very strong Test team who are going to be fresh and ready to rumble.
“My squad know they’re facing a really good side, it’s not as if they’re facing a poor Lions team.
“The Six Nations are in good shape and playing good rugby so I’m very excited about it.”
Hansen’s remarks come at a time when the New Zealand Rugby Union have announced a big rise in the amounts All Blacks can earn in a bid to keep them from leaving for rich European clubs.
The Union have agreed to boost their player payment pool by £40m from £68m million to £108m over the next three years.
The boost recognises increases in sponsorship and broadcast revenue, including an estimated £68m windfall from next year’s British and Irish Lions Tour.
All Blacks captain Kieran Read comes off contract next year and is poised to announce a new deal through the 2019 Rugby World Cup which could take him through the $1m NZ dollar barrier (£570,000).
Former captain Richie McCaw and star first-five Dan Carter are thought to have earned more than that from salaries and endorsements but Read’s seven-figure payment would be salary alone, before other earnings.
Lock Brodie Retallick and winger Julian Savea are thought to be among the front-rank of earners in the current All Blacks team at around £455,000 annually.