That's the opinion of former Wallabies playmaker Rod Kafer as the ACT Brumbies prepare their bid to end a seven-year drought against the Canterbury Crusaders when they clash on Sunday.

But Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham believes a Wallabies revival has busted the All Blacks' aura in recent years to give Australian rugby hope of international success.

The Brumbies will play the Crusaders at Canberra Stadium in an Anzac contest, with both teams paying tribute to Australian and New Zealand soldiers before Anzac Day on Monday.

It comes six months after the Wallabies went agonisingly close to beating the All Blacks in the World Cup final in England.

But since then, Australian teams have won just two of 10 matches against New Zealand sides in the Super Rugby season.

"George Gregan has said to me a few times that you need to beat New Zealand at a junior level, because if you don't when guys come through you're used to losing to them," Kafer said.

"You don't want to get used to losing to the All Blacks, but we've become a victim of that for sure. We just have to better than that.

"We've got a long way to go. We don't have the talent to match them, but we've got the talent to revert to our historic 30 per cent win record against them."

Under-performing Australian sides have been blasted in recent weeks as they struggle to maintain pace with their New Zealand rivals in a new Super Rugby format.

The Brumbies are the only team within striking distance of the best New Zealand teams, but sit six points behind the Crusaders on the overall standings.

The Wallabies have only won five of 34 games against New Zealand since 2005.

Kafer selected an Anzac XV of current Super Rugby players who would make a combined Australian and New Zealand team.

Just four Australians - Scott Fardy, David Pocock, Matt Toomua and Tevita Kuridrani - made the grade with All Blacks stars filling every other position.

There was no room for in-form Brumbies winger Joseph Tomane or cross-code superstar Israel Folau, with Kafer opting for an all New Zealand back three of Julian Savea, Chiefs' livewire Damian McKenzie and Ben Smith.

But Larkham, who is also the Wallabies assistant coach, said Australian rugby had closed the gap and Super Rugby results did not give a proper indication of the closeness of the nations.

"I think if you have good success in Super Rugby then that transfers to the Test arena," Larkham said.

"But they're two totally different competitions and two different teams - us against the Crusaders and then the Wallabies v the All Blacks are completely different scenarios.

"With where we are at the moment, I think the motivation is exactly where it needs to be. If you want to talk about the Test season, I think the stigma of the All Blacks has changed over the last couple of years."

The Brumbies trounced the Wellington Hurricanes in the opening round of the season, but were then smashed by the Waikato Chiefs at Canberra Stadium earlier this month.

The Crusaders are the most successful team in Super Rugby history and have won their past six games in a row.

But the Brumbies don't want to be drawn into looking at the past and their lack of success against the Crusaders, with only four players on their roster tasting success against the Christchurch-based team.

Super Rugby officials changed the format of the competition this year, reducing the amount of Australian derby games and increasing the amount of trans-Tasman contests. Australian teams now play all five New Zealand opponents in a season compared to the previous four.

"We haven't spoken a lot about the opposition in any game this year, and this week has been no different," said Wallabies and Brumbies captain Stephen Moore.

"You look at all the New Zealand teams and they're playing well, aren't they?

"Particularly the Chiefs, Crusaders, Highlanders and Hurricanes - they're all playing well so they're always hard to beat.

"I think the international game and Super Rugby are two very different things. If you're winning, things probably flow on, but these games are in isolation."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND NINE

Sunday: ACT Brumbies v Canterbury Crusaders at Canberra Stadium, 4.05pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 2. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Rod Kafer's ANZAC XV: 15. Ben Smith (Highlanders), 14. Damian McKenzie (Chiefs), 13. Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), 12. Matt Toomua (Brumbies), 11. Julian Savea (Hurricanes), 10. Aaron Cruden (Chiefs), 9. Aaron Smith (Highlanders), 8. Kieran Read (Crusaders), 7. David Pocock (Brumbies), 6. Scott Fardy (Brumbies), 5. Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), 4. Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), 3. Owen Franks (Crusaders), 2. Dan Coles (Hurricanes), 1. Joe Moody (Crusaders).

Brumbies team: 15. Aidan Toua, 14. Robbie Coleman, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Matt Toomua, 11. JosephTomane, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 9. Tomas Cubelli, 8. Jordan Smiler, 7. Jarrad Butler, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Leslie Leulua'iali'i-Makin, 19. Tom Staniforth, 20. Michael Wells, 21. Michael Dowsett, 22. James Dargaville, 23. Nigel Ah Wong.

Crusaders: 15. Israel Dagg, 14. Jone Macilai, 13. Kieron Fonotia, 12. David Havili, 11. Nemani Nadolo, 10. Richie Mo'unga, 9. Andy Ellis, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Matt Todd, 6. Jordan Taufua, 5. Scott Barrett, 4. Luke Romano, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Joe Moody. Reserves: 16. Ged Robinson, 17. Wyatt Crockett, 18. Mike Alaalatoa, 19. Sam Whitelock, 20. Tim Boys, 21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Sean Wainui, 23. Marty McKenzie.