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It gave the Scots an early lead, and many lessor players would have gone into their shell after making such a fundamental mistake that led directly to enemy points.

However Carter said a burning desire to come back strong drove him on the Murrayfield pitch, saying that early mistakes often led to him putting in a confident display.

It was a game that had some comparing Carter’s exploits to his legendary match against the British and Irish Lions in 2005, when the fabled tourists put a rush defence on the All Blacks, and Carter countered it by eagerly taking the ball to the line.

Something he repeated in Scotland, putting in a display to emphatically remind all and sundry as to where the mantle lies.

"Some of my best games have come off mistakes early in the match," Carter said.

"I pride myself to bounce back from mistakes. I was pretty disappointed to give them an easy seven points like that so early in the game.”

Part of the insight into the All Blacks psyche was revealed when Carter said his priority was simply to move onto the next task.

It is a practice of the World Champions to be almost coldly job focused, ensuring they only think about the next play, and don’t carry the emotional burden of poor form or a bad move on the field.

“It was important I came back (from the mistake),” Carter said.

“Basically put it behind me and moved on to the next task. If you worry about that and not what's happened you can sort things out."

In an ominous statement for the All Blacks rivals, as well as potentially the young bucks such as Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett, Carter said he was looking to bring back his ability to take the line on.

“It's something I want to bring back to my game, running with the ball in hand,” Carter said.