All Blacks 'still the favourites' for World Cup, says Dan Carter

Despite their woes to end 2018, the All Blacks are still heading to the Rugby World Cup in Japan as favourites, according to legendary first-five and 2015 champion Dan Carter.

Thanks to a 16-9 defeat to Ireland in Dublin on last year's northern hemisphere tour, the All Blacks' stature as the world's best appears to be on shaky ground heading into Japan. But Carter says he's convinced Steve Hansen's side can conquer all before them for a third straight Webb Ellis Cup.

"They're still the favourites," Carter told 1 NEWS.

"There's a lot of competition now, it's a different landscape to what it was a couple of years ago.

"It's an exciting time, 2019, we've been waiting for this year for a long time. I know, as a player, the Rugby World Cup is the pinnacle and everyone will be doing whatever they can to be a part of that World Cup squad."

Carter also says that Ireland are a close second to the All Blacks, despite their recent Six Nations opening loss to England last week.

"They would have learned a lot from their game against England in the weekend.

"It was probably just that kind of game that Ireland needed, but it's great to see England playing some awesome footy again after 2018.

"There's a lot of competition, but as we know, anything can happen. You've got to expect the unexpected. I think there'll be a number of teams firing."