Rugby: Henry wants Ross to bulk up

Isaac Ross will need beef up his slight frame to get back in the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

It took eight tests but the All Blacks coaches have decreed Isaac Ross not physically equipped for test rugby.

Canterbury lock Ross was left out of the 33-man squad named today for the season-ending tour of Japan and Europe, an omission that had been widely predicted.

Henry confirmed the 24-year-old simply needed to be stronger to cut it at the elite level, something not apparently obvious through the first eight tests of the season which Ross started alongside Brad Thorn.

He was dropped for last month's 33-6 defeat of Australia in Wellington, replaced by Tom Donnelly.

"We believe he's got things he needs to work on to be a better player. We've learned about that during his time with us in the All Blacks," Henry said.

"If he's going to be a strong scrummager and better at the cleanout part of the game, he needs some time out of the game to develop the strength to be able to do that.

"He'll come back a better player and be highly competitive at international level."

Henry described Ross's omission as a "positive situation for him" and gave him every chance of featuring next year.

However, he will is likely to have fierce competition from veteran lock Ali Williams, whose 2009 season was destroyed by injury, while tourists Thorn, Donnelly, Anthony Boric and Jason Eaton all have a chance to cement themselves.

Henry insisted time in the gym was more beneficial for Ross than test experience.

"If he doesn't do that, he's not going to be the international footballer he could be."

- NZPA