Rugby: Henry’s new All Black blueprint

NEW All -Black coach Graham Henry hardly waited for the ink to dry on his contract yesterday before saying there were changes coming to New Zealand rugby.

Henry stressed that while the expansive style promoted by his predecessor John Mitchell would remain, more attention would be paid to improving the All Blacks' forward power.

Mitchell was praised throughout his two years at the helm for the 15-man, fast-paced style he favoured which produced a swag of point-scoring records.

But following the All Blacks World Cup semi-final exit at the hands of Australia in Sydney last month, critics rounded on Mitchell for not having a forward pack that could dominate a game up front.

Henry, announced as the new coach, agreed that some of the basics from New Zealand's professional players were not good enough.

"We've got some areas in the game that we need to look at as a union. We've got some weaknesses in New Zealand rugby," he said.

"I think we've got some difficulty at set pieces, our lineout is a bit flaky. (Also) team defence policy and other things like leadership on the field and decision-making."

Henry said an All Blacks coach could not instil the changes himself. It needed to be addressed by all provincial coaches.

However, any suggestion that Henry may look to introduce a more English-style game plan reliant on forward power and the boot of the fly-half were quickly dispatched.

He cited the playing style of Auckland, where he has been technical advisor for the past two seasons, as a good blueprint.

"It's a matter of perfecting what you're trying to do," he said.

Henry, renowned for his ability to spot talent, said he had hypothetically named his own All Blacks team since the World Cup and would not have made many changes.

But he added: "I also think there's some very fine young players here who will knock on the door as time goes on who weren't in Australia."

He said he had not decided on a captain in his hypothetical team, and claimed he had never watched incumbent Reuben Thorne closely enough to determine his merits.

Henry refused to be critical of the efforts of Mitchell and his assistant Robbie Deans in moulding the All Blacks' style over the last two years.

"All I would say is that the coaches of the All Blacks over the last two years have rolled up their sleeves and done everything possible to make it work," he said.

"I've been down that road before and I know what it's like. I know how hard people work and I appreciate that."

Mitchell believed he had paid the ultimate price for not bringing home the rugby World Cup. He said he knew he had made mistakes in the way he handled the role but had hoped the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) would judge him on the overall on-field performance of the side.

Mitchell admitted he had not handled the media well and erred by not working closely enough with sponsors and the NZRU management.

"When you look at the critical statistics of playing performance, this young All Black team has over the past two years shown dramatic improvement in every area," Mitchell said.

He would not be considering his next move until the New Year, but revealed he had already received overseas coaching offers. "I am looking forward to going to the beach for Christmas with my family and enjoying a well-earned rest," he said.

"It's been an intense year with over 290 nights away from home."

However, Mitchell said he wants to continue coaching teams rather than being a resource coach for the NZRU. He will meet next week with the Waikato Rugby Union which is in the process of seeking a new coach.

Mitchell said he had always wanted to coach Waikato and also had unfinished business with the Chiefs, whom he coached in the Super 12 for just one season before taking the All Blacks job.

He said it was ironic he had turned down a chance to be part of a world cup winning team when he chose to return to New Zealand instead of remaining with the England team as assistant coach to Clive Woodward. He had been offered a four-year contract at the time.

"I was delighted that Woodward, after winning the World Cup, acknowledged my contribution as assistant coach to England.

"His view was that I had made a significant contribution to helping build the best forward pack in world rugby," Mitchell said.