Henry says All Blacks need to improve to win World Cup

Graham Henry

SYDNEY- New Zealand coach Graham Henry believes the All Blacks still have a long way to go if they want to win the 2007 World Cup despite confirming their place as the world's number one team.

The All Blacks left no doubt they are at the top of the pile after following up their series whitewash against the British and Irish Lions by regaining the Tri-nations.

They had lost their opening match in South Africa but won their last three games, including Saturday's 34-24 victory over Australia in Auckland, to finish the southern hemisphere season on a perfect note.

"The results have been outstanding really," Henry told reporters in New Zealand.

"If we sat back in January and said we'd win the Bledisloe Cup, the Tri-nations and beat the Lions three zip, we'd be pretty happy wouldn't we."

"That's occurred, that's marvellous and we're still halfway down the road in the development of the team."

Henry said winning the Tri-nations title was a greater achievement than beating the Lions because of the greater challenges presented by the South Africans and Australians.

"The three best teams in the world are playing in this Tri-Nations series," he said. "Those teams will be quality teams through to the next World Cup so it's going to be a continuous challenge."

Henry said he was satisfied with the way his team was developing towards the France in 2007 but warned they still had a lot of improvement left if they wanted to win the World Cup for the first time since 1987.

"We're still a maturing team, there's still some way to go and that's good, we've got things to work on," Henry said.

"The defence was questionable ... and we didn't have enough patience on attack."

New Zealand captain Tana Umaga said there was a special feeling about the team although it was too early to make any predictions about the World Cup.

"We're starting to become a really cohesive unit as a side and I think if you look at the quality sides of years gone by, it's the sides who have stayed together," Umaga said."

That's probably something that's come through this year. When you win three trophies, that's got to be something special."

The New Zealanders will take a break from international rugby for two months before reassembling for their end-of-season tour when they play tests against England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

Henry is planning to use that tour as the launching pad for 2007 and has been given permission to take an expanded squad of 35 players to enable him to blood new players even it means not winning a grand slam.

"What we're trying to do is make sure we unearth the players, if we haven't already done so, who are going to be there for 2007," Henry said.

"They know there's going to be a reduced number when it comes to World Cup time but we're giving everybody a chance."

The big thing is that we go over there and try to play some really good rugby, develop our rugby players and enjoy the experience. If the grand slam happens, it happens."

If you put all your eggs in the grand slam basket, I think you'll come unstuck."

- REUTERS