All Blacks make the best of succession of setbacks

Graham Henry. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks may have lost two tests in a row, the Tri-Nations Cup may have crossed the Ditch, and the participation of the team's key No 8 is uncertain ... but don't panic, everything is under control.

The All Blacks' 30-man World Cup squad, minus two, were formally introduced yesterday at Ponsonby Rugby Club, the second home of New Zealand Rugby Union president Bryan "Beegee" Williams.

Missing were Kieran Read and Adam Thomson, who were in Christchurch having scans on their ankle and elbow respectively.

Read's injury in particular is a big concern, as the No 8 has emerged as a key component of the World Cup plans.

But yesterday wasn't a day for furrowed brows.

Even the news that the All Blacks highest-profile reserve, Sonny Bill Williams, had backtracked on his commitment to sort out his future before the World Cup was a mere blip on the radar of positivity.

Heck, losing the Tri-Nations might even be a good omen.

"If you go back in history to 2003 and 2007, I think the All Blacks were Tri-Nations champions, I think there was a Rugby World Cup on in those years and I don't think we won them," coach Graham Henry said.

"The Tri-Nations does not determine what's going to happen in the World Cup."

After 5-18 and 20-25 defeats in consecutive weeks to South Africa and Australia, you could almost hear the collective "Phew".

Henry said that the team would bedefined by what happened in the next eight weeks.

It was a point reiterated by captain Richie McCaw. Captain in 2007 when the All Blacks crashed out at the quarter-final stage, he said he had learned several lessons in the intervening four years.

"Four years have gone by. Every time you go out on the field there's a new challenge you have to deal with ... They're the sort of experiences you have to go through to have answers for when things get tough and start not going your way."

The All Blacks return to their homes today before being dispersed around the country to engage with their fans in the smaller centres.

Andy Ellis is off to Stratford, Mils Muliaina to Gisborne, Sam Whitelock to Carterton and Richie McCaw to Rangiora, with others in points in-between.

Asked whether he was going anywhere, Henry had this reassuring message: "I've got work to do."