ABs need Mains, not Henry, says former All Black

Graham Henry (C), Wayne Smith (L) and Steve Hansen will guide the All Blacks through to the 2011 World Cup. Photo / Greg Bowker

Former All Black Billy Bush wants a regime change after a string of "pathetic" performances by the men in black.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his two assistants, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen, have been given a second chance at World Cup glory after they were re-appointed through until the end of 2011.

The trio were at the helm as New Zealand crashed out of the 2007 World Cup quarterfinals at the hands of the French two years ago.

Bush, who played 37 matches for the All Blacks, said he wanted to see Laurie Mains back coaching the national team.

"Laurie Mains knows about test rugby and how it should be played and we can't keep playing Super 14 with our locks out on the wing," he said.

Bush said the All Blacks needed to "get back to basics".

He said the All Blacks have been "pathetic" and have not improved since the loss to France in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final.

"The way we're playing we won't win test rugby or the World Cup," Bush said.

He said the All Blacks were weak against the French and looked "like goats" in the Italy match.

Bush said the attitude of the coaching staff has to change but that came from the top of All Blacks management.

He said New Zealand Rugby Union head Steve Tew's comments about poor Canterbury turn-outs to test matches were out of line and that attitude needed to change.

"When he talks like that, it filters through," Bush said.

He believes the public are losing interest in the All Blacks with players being pulled out of NPC and club rugby competitions.

But former All Black captain Stu Wilson had a different view, supporting the coaching trio's re-signing.

"They've gotten a bit of trust back since the World Cup loss," Wilson said.

He said the quality of the players available for selection this year has not left "too many apples floating on the top".

Wilson, who played 85 games for the All Blacks, said the attitude of the All Blacks has been transformed since the gut wrenching 2007 loss to France.

"Last year was all about results, just stuff who you're playing and get out there. You own them, they're employees," Wilson said.

He said the All Blacks have learned a lesson from Warrior's captain Steve Price.

"Roll your sleeves up and go to war every weekend," Wilson said.

He said the All Blacks have learned that you cannot play two games ahead with selection decisions.

"You've got to flog the horses until they choke and that's what their job is - to win test matches for New Zealand," Wilson said.

He said the coaches have control of the team and they send messages out during the games.

"A couple of years ago, the messages did go out, set up the drop goal and do this and that, but the team at the time decided to carry on with their plans and it didn't work," Wilson said.

But Wilson said now captain Ritchie McCaw has grown into "the King" and is a strong captain.