McCaw: Excited by the challenge

The All Blacks go toe-to-toe with their old foes at Eden Park on Sunday - with Australia having won the two previous trans-Tasman semi-final showdowns.

And although McCaw acknowledges the added importance of the game, he insists that will not alter New Zealand's preparations.

"It's not another game, I think you acknowledge that from the start," McCaw said.

"It's not just another game, but you've got to do a lot of the things exactly the same to ensure you perform. The way you train, the things you've got to do during the week, obviously you've got to make sure they are pretty similar.

"I think when you get into (Sunday) night, what's different is the excitement and obviously what's at the end.

"The big thing is not to let that get on top of you and inhibit you from going out there and playing well.

"I think what's been the big thing this week is to make sure we go about our process of getting ready to play, the way you train, but being excited about it because it is a World Cup semi-final."

The New Zealand squad are under huge pressure to win the Webb Ellis trophy, particularly on home soil and having slipped up on a number of times in the past.

However McCaw insists the side have been channelling their focus on just doing their jobs on Sunday.

"You learn to put it to the side and use bits of excitement... and it keeps reminding you of what you're in for," he said. "From my point of view you understand what you need to do on Sunday.

"You just keep reminding yourself that's what you need to go through to play on Sunday."