Talk isn't cheap as Henry chats to franchises

Precise and simple communication could prove to be the All Blacks' most potent weapon when they take on Sir Clive Woodward's Lions later this year.

Last week the All Black management team visited the Crusaders, Highlanders and Hurricanes to make clear what style of play the national team will adopt and exactly what the selectors are looking for from individuals.

Lauding Graham Henry and his assistants for conducting what most would consider a fundamental requirement could be construed as unnecessary cheerleading. But previous All Black coaching regimes have perhaps been guilty of leaving players in the dark as to where they sit in the selectors' thinking and what they need to do to force their way into the frame.

With the Lions arriving in less than four months, Henry wants every player to start the Super 12 certain they can still make the test team and certain about what they'll need to do to get there.

He says: "We're having a meeting with each of the players who went on the end of season tour.

"They all received a written review from the three coaches and that was sent to them a few weeks ago. We have taken the time to talk about those reports and make sure there is total clarity - to talk about where they are and their goals for this year, their strong points and things they may need a bit of help on.

"We speak to the wider group about how we select, what we are looking for from players and what we think the Lions tour will bring, how we are trying to play the game as an All Black team and the skill levels we are looking for."

The All Black management has also spoken to the franchises about the need to continually improve on-field leadership.

Henry says it became apparent after working with the team last year that a number of players were lacking in self-reliance and problem-solving skills. He also admitted he and his fellow coaches were guilty of overworking the players in the run-up to the tests and more needs to be done to make the players more explosive.

"We recognise there are some issues we learned about when we had the All Blacks in the winter. One of those was the development of individual reliance of the players and we are working on that and the development of leadership. Hopefully we can work on that through the Super 12.

"The explosiveness of the players as athletes needs to have some attention. We have them for less time than the Super 12 coaches so it is very important we are on the same wavelength.

"That is why the communication and coming to some logical conclusions we all agree on is hugely important."

Henry will meet the Blues and Chiefs this week.