All Blacks 'planet's best team' - Neil Jenkins

Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins believes the All Blacks are now the world's best side in any sport. Jenkins has rallied world rugby's top nations to close the gap on New Zealand - a task he firmly believes is no easy feat.

The All Blacks are presently on a record undefeated run for a major rugby union nation with 18 successive Test wins, a number they will look to further improve when they face Ireland in Chicago on Saturday.

Jenkins, Wales' record Test match points-scorer, believes the All Blacks are easily the best team on the planet in any sport.

"I thought we played pretty well in the first and second Tests against New Zealand and had opportunities in both games, to a point.

"But it is just how good they are," added Jenkins.

"They are ridiculous at this moment in time -- easily the best team on the planet in any sport. Whenever they play a Test match, they seem to get the job done."

The All Blacks claimed a 3-0 Test series triumph against Wales in June and further went on to dominate the Rugby Championship 2016 tournament.

"My view is that's what the rest of us have to get to and try to overtake. They are incredibly good, and the standard for today's game.

"For Australia, South Africa, ourselves, France, Ireland, England, Scotland and the rest of the sides, it's a gap we have to close.

"We have to do a job against teams we are playing this autumn.

"It's a tough game on Saturday, but we are at home and we have a pretty good record at home."

Wales are due to face the Wallabies in Cardiff on Saturday, followed by successive weekend clashes with Argentina, Japan and South Africa.