View photos from THAT game in CardiffKEY POINTS:
Graham Henry today outlined his ideal competition structure to address the issue of player burnout as well as potentially slowing the drain of stars to Europe.
It would see the All Blacks playing only Super rugby and international matches, thereby pushing the Air New Zealand Cup domestic competition to second tier, developmental status.
Henry's preference closely mirrors the recent proposal of John O'Neill, who called for a longer Super competition which comprised teams based outside Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Players could also compete for franchises in other countries but still be clear for international competition - the June home tests and a longer string of internationals late in the year.
"I think the Super competition can be played later, go longer," said Henry, with a late start allowing for the three-month off-season he craves.
"The international season is played at the end of that competition so the international players play in two competititons only."
Henry was inspired by the proactive mood at last month's national forum addressing the state of the game.
"There's a real positive feel out there that there needs to be change to competitions," he said.
"I'm hopeful that will occur reasonably quickly."
Henry believed it was possible to create a competition which would be as enticing as the rich English premiership and French Top 14 club competitions which were hand-picking the premier players from the south.
"We've got to look at our competitions at Super level that are competitive with those competitions," he said.
"There needs to be a major motivation of the organisation (Sanzar) to try and achieve that. It may mean that some players play offshore that are playing in that competition
"Hopefully that competition will be the best in the world."
Henry said the ideal number of games played each year by elite players was in the "middle 20s", similar to the 26 regular season games played in the National Rugby League.
The existing Tri-Nations would start later and flow closely into northern hemisphere test fixtures at year's end.
"It just gives us a longer period with the same group of people."
Henry hoped a change in competition structure would help keep players at home such as star first five-eighths Daniel Carter and Nick Evans, who are both reportedly looking closely at European contracts.
Henry said every effort was being made to stop them joining others who have left in their prime such as English-based pair Carl Hayman and Luke McAlister.
" We're trying to assist guys like DC and Nick to make sensible decisions," Henry said.
"Hopefully those sensible decisions will be to stay in New Zealand.
"We're really pushing the boat out to try and find a contract that is suitable.
"I don't think all the media attention is helping."
Meanwhile, Henry let slip that a midweek match against Ireland province Munster was all-but set in concrete on this season's tour of the northern hemisphere.
When corrected by New Zealand Rugby Union officials, Henry smiled that "maybe the concrete is soft".
The grand slam tour, which also comprises a test against Australian in Hong Kong, will probably involve a tour party player size in the "early 30s", Henry added.
- NZPA
