Injured players not considered were Cory Jane, Richard Kahui, Tony Woodcock, Isaia Toeava, Hosea Gear and Israel Dagg, while Andy Ellis, Owen Franks, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, Sonny Bill Williams and Keven Mealamu have all gone home for some rest.
That meant Crockett was the only specialist loosehead prop in the squad and earned a reprieve after a two-year hiatus.
As Henry was joined in discussions by Crockett, the coach jocularly said his loosehead just "had to stay up in scrums" then everyone would sleep well at night.
The prop had been soaking up a full schedule of theoretical, technical and practical work under the guidance of scrum coach Mike Cron to get up to speed for the international season.
He felt he had learned a great deal since he was last with the All Blacks. He had a difficult time with referees last year in Super rugby but had overcome that and learned to work better with his other front-rows.
"Maybe that was something I didn't do in the past in this environment. Maybe I was a bit quiet and tried to do things a little on my own and you can't do that," Crockett said.
"That is one of the biggest learnings for me and I have tried to shore up that area and, off the field, work a bit smarter in the gym."
Henry said the main aims tomorrow were to play some decent rugby and nail the bulk of the side's structures. "We have made a lot of decisions about individuals and how we are going to get them to be the best they can be over the next few weeks," the coach said.
"When you are in the environment and you talk to these guys, you just know, you can see it in their eyes and see it in their body language, if we don't give them some space they are going to die.
"They will be dead men trying to play rugby and you are just going to get a horrible result."
The All Black management, medical staff and players had discussed the season roster in detail. They had made some decisions on rest but still had to find 22 players tomorrow.
One of those was Crockett, the designated next-best loosehead behind Woodcock. The Crusaders had played a lot of footy but circumstances meant he was required.
Henry liked the aggression Hoeata had in his set-piece game, the edge and athleticism he brought around the field. He needed to temper his discipline and work harder on his tackle technique.
Similarly Slade needed to raise the physical parts of his game and deliver more sharpness but he had been trying to get some football mileage after injury and navigate sides around the field.
"That is a big ask for a guy in his second test but I think he has got the feel for the game, he understands the game and can call the shots so he is quite composed," Henry said.
Others such as fullback Mils Muliaina may have been quiet during Super rugby but his experience and drive would light the fire in his game for the international season.
The All Blacks, said Henry, had been working on style changes including ideas about night rugby, building the team from last season and adding more to the team template.
That included men like Slade and Daniel Carter practising dropped goals. It was not a natural way of rugby life in New Zealand but another strong method of scoring.
ALL BLACKS
Carisbrook, 7.35pm tomorrow
Mils Muliaina
Zac Guildford
Conrad Smith
Ma'a Nonu
Sitiveni Sivivatu
Colin Slade
Jimmy Cowan
Liam Messam
Richie McCaw (c)
Adam Thomson
Ali Williams
Jarrad Hoeata
Ben Franks
Andrew Hore
Wyatt Crockett
FIJI
Iliesa Keresoni
Timoci Naqusa
Albert Vulivuli
Ravai Fatiaki
Napolioni Nalaga
Seremaia Bai
Nemia Serelevu
S. Matadigo
Akapusi Qera
Waqaniburotu
Rupenui Nasiga
Sekonaia Kalou
Deacon Manu (c)
Sunia Koto
Campese Ma'afu
All Blacks: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Sam Whitelock, Jerome Kaino, Piri Weepu, Dan Carter, Ben Smith.
Fiji: V. Veikoso, S. Somoca, J. Domolailai, M. Ravulo, V. Buatava, V. Goneva.
