All Blacks: Players back coaching shuffle

All Black coaches Graham Henry and Steve Hansen (left). Photo / Kenny Rodger

The All Black coaches have shuffled their duties again in changes which supremo Graham Henry says will help them all.

Henry takes over the attack after stints on defence then with the forwards on last year's tour of Europe.

Sorting out the attack was an important strategic role which allowed him to be even closer to the leadership group who decided on the style the All Blacks wanted to deliver this season.

Wayne Smith keeps his defence role although he will assist Henry with some of the backline strike plans while Steve Hansen has returned to work with the forwards again after a brief stint on attack.

"We had a meeting with the senior players last Sunday and they were very supportive," said Henry yesterday.

The latest changes had been made after some in-depth reviews, self reflection and discussions with a large number of players and others close to the team.

"It is important we stay a step ahead all the time," Henry said. "International rugby is always very competitive and we are charged with getting as much out of ourselves as possible."

In assessing how the coaches went in their changed roles last season, Henry said there was a greater awareness and empathy for those who had done the jobs previously.

He was not sure whether the latest switches would be permanent and thought there would be another review on progress after the Tri-Nations series.

That series was looming as being even more intense than last season when the All Blacks lost all three tests to the Springboks, narrowly beat the Wallabies twice and then cantered away 33-6 from them in the last match in Wellington.

The Springboks would gather momentum and their players would be gaining more encouragement from the Super 14 while Wallaby coach Robbie Deans would also be comfortable with the results of Australian teams in the same series.

The International Rugby Board rated the All Blacks as the top side in the world at the end of last year but Henry felt the Springboks deserved that honour after "stuffing us" midyear. The French had also squared the series in New Zealand so there had been a number of blips on the All Black record sheet.

Teams had caught the All Blacks out because the coaches were unfamiliar with the experimental law variations last season.

"We have learned from that," Henry said. "We have been doing a lot of research on trends in the game and how the game is being played."

They discovered some interesting results in the opening eight rounds and found the work of the Super 14 coaches both innovative and stimulating.

The rolling maul was a forgotten art in New Zealand rugby and the coaches had shared those concerns with the Super 14 staff as they watched the threat posed by South African teams using that tactic.

"We have spent a lot of time discussing it and we will try to have it as part of our game plan because it is absolutely essential," said Henry.

He was concerned that referees were only penalising sides defending mauls and hoped those officials would get more balance in their rulings otherwise mauls would become impossible to defend.

TURN ABOUT
* Graham Henry was appointed All Black coach in 2004 and took on the defence portfolio, Steve Hansen took the forwards, Wayne Smith the attack.

* On last year's tour to Europe, the roles were altered, with Henry taking the forwards, where there was a lift in lineout successes, Hansen the attack and Smith the defence.

* For 2010, Henry has taken on the attack, Hansen has reverted to working with the forwards and Smith keeps his defensive duties.