All Blacks: Henry's task: Keep All Blacks fresh

Graham Henry knows that Test rugby will change over the next two years. Photo / Getty Images

How to keep the same sports team fresh and fizzing for eight years?

That's perhaps the greatest challenge facing All Blacks' rugby coach Graham Henry, now that he is clear to plot a path to the 2011 rugby World Cup.

The Henry way has been a winning one since taking over in 2004, with one notable exception.

And another World Cup flop could unfold on home soil if the players no longer respond to their coach - who will be 65 and probably overseeing a century of tests at the All Blacks helm when the tournament plays out in two years' time.

Henry is adamant he retains the ability to morph with the rugby times.

He fully expects Test rugby in 2011 to be a different animal to what is being played this year, or what worked best two years ago in France.

"And the people you're coaching are changing, they're different individuals to what they were four years ago," Henry said.

"They reflect the society they come from and the system they're educated in so you have to change with the times as well.

"I coached the Blues in 1996 and that's quite a different group of people to the All Blacks right now as far as personalities are concerned and what pushes their buttons.

"We're all trying to get better at what we do."

It was Sir Clive Woodward's seventh year in charge when England won the 2003 World Cup. His methods changed over time, becoming notably more autocratic. No stone was unturned nor cost cut as Woodward steamrolled any English officials who tried to muzzle his decision-making.

For the next 26 months the All Blacks players will listen to Henry's words at trainings, tactical meetings and in the changing rooms before Tests and at halftime.

On hand every time will also be assistant coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith and manager Darren Shand - all part of the furniture since 2004.

Captain Richie McCaw doesn't anticipate any Groundhog Day issues, as long as the message remains fresh and players are still allowed to have a say.

"We've talked about it as senior players and you just can't afford to get [robotic]. If you start standing still, then everyone else is going to move past.

"As senior players, we need to start looking for that edge."

McCaw pointed to the All Blacks' ability in recent seasons to win tight Tests as evidence that emphasis Henry places on team character is still working.

"That comes from the leadership of those guys [coaches] and from the senior players in the team," he said.

"As long as we keep that attitude, then I don't see it being a problem at all.

"A couple of experiences we had last year in the Tri-Nations ... and the French test [loss] this year just reminds you that if you're not quite on the money, you're going to come second. You've got to keep evolving."

- NZPA