New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has congratulated Eddie Jones' England after they equalled the All Blacks' record of 18 unbeaten Test matches with a comprehensive victory over Scotland on Saturday.
England defeated Scotland 61-21 at Twickenham to retain the Six Nations title and register their 18th straight test victory, equalling New Zealand's run from August 2015 to November 2016.
The All Blacks' run, which included their 2015 World Cup triumph in England, could be overtaken by England when they face Ireland in Dublin next week, looking to become the first side to achieve back-to-back grand slams since 1992-93.
Eddie Jones has been in charge for 17 of England's 18 victories, and Hansen paid tribute to the man who has overseen their remarkable turnaround.
"I'd like to congratulate England on equalling the record," Hansen told the BBC.
"It's great for rugby because we want competition and games that people want to watch and get excited by.
"Eddie [Jones] has come in and installed a want and a desire that probably hasn't been there before.
"We've always felt England have had plenty of talent but not always been willing to work hard.
"But they seem to be doing that now under Eddie, and it's no surprise that they're putting a run together that's pretty impressive.
"Sometimes you get talented players, but they don't have that work ethic.
"It's not the players' fault, but then someone comes in their lives, a parent, a teacher or in this case Eddie as a coach, who instils a work ethic and creates a vision that excites them and people change their habits."
Despite beating all before them, the one tier-one nation England have failed to meet in their unbeaten run is the world's number one side New Zealand.
The two have yet to face off since November 2014, when the All Blacks won 24-21 at Twickenham, and Hansen is relishing a meeting in the future.
"Being the All Blacks coach I would like to think we would [meet England soon]", Hansen added,.
"But Eddie being the England coach he would like to think he would. When the time comes it's going to be a cracker.
"It's something rugby people will want to see and, hopefully, the game lives up to all the hype when it eventually happens because there will be plenty."
New Zealand's own 18-game run was ended by England's next opponents Ireland in Chicago back in November 2016, when Joe Schmidt's side created history in beating New Zealand for the first time in 111 years.
Ireland's defeat to Wales in Cardiff on Friday night ended their title hopes however, with a potential title shot against England in Dublin extinguished with defeat to Rob Howley's men, enabling England to confirm their championship a week early against Scotland.
With the conclusion of the Six Nations next week, all attentions will turn to the British and Irish Lions' tour to Hansen's New Zealand this summer, and Hansen expects a difficult series.
"The Six Nations has been a great tournament," said Hansen.
"We've seen the depth of player quality and they will come with probably one of the best Lions teams ever selected.
"People here are very excited about the fact they're coming as we don't get many touring teams in world rugby any more."