The All Blacks immediate priority is the Bledisloe Cup and a trip to Sydney this weekend, to face a Wallabies team level on points with them on top of the Rugby Championship.
Debutant Lima Sopoaga deputised for Carter, who was rested for the win in Johannesburg, but now he's back in the fold and raring to go.
Carter said the whole team was concentrating on the bigger picture, with the start of the World Cup just over a month away now.
Steve Hansen has to make the cut for the final 31 man squad on August 30 and Carter added that everyone was putting the team first, with each man being given a chance to prove themselves while others are rested.
"It's been pretty intense," said Carter. "There's a real edge to it. There's a lot of competition and you've got to keep working alongside your coaches and your teammates and do whatever it takes.
"Everyone is thinking a little bit about the bigger picture. Guys are just so keen and I don't think that's a bad thing.
"Guys are working really hard and when you do get the opportunity to play and work in team environment, you've got to put the team first and worry about your role and not try to do too much.
"If you do that you'll shine and you'll be recognised by the coaches. As soon as you start going down on a tangent and doing you're own thing because you want to do something special or out of the ordinary to get the attention, you're going to fall into the trap of not doing things the way the team wants to.
"It's a fine line and it's been talked about among squads. You've got to make sure you put the team first and do whatever it takes to fit into the structures."
Dan Carter and the All Blacks have been putting in work in the gym.
The All Blacks now face a trip across the Tasman to face a Wallabies team who'll be in confident mood after their wins over South Africa and Argentina.
They'll be backed by a vociferous home crowd at ANZ Stadium and Carter added that he's been impressed by what he's seen of the Wallabies in the Rugby Championship, as they'll bring a greater physical challenge and the two sides will meet again at Eden Park a week later.
He added: "They've done a lot of work on their physicality and over the years they've always been able to play and be extremely dangerous with the ball in hand.
"That physicality they've brought to their game has been noticeable and they've probably got a bit more of an all around game now.
"The Bledisloe Cup, the Rugby World Cup aside, it's the biggest thing you want to retain and hold on to. It means a lot to this team and it's something I love playing for.
"The Australians really get up for it and they really love playing in Sydney. I've played quite a few games there and had some fantastic wins and also been on the end of a couple of losses, tough ones as well.
"With the form they're in, it's just going to add to their confidence. We'll need to be at the top of our game and not make any mistakes and bring ourselves up a level to the form they're playing in."
