All Blacks to ‘look after’ Umaga ahead of World Cup

GRAHAM HENRY has revealed that Tana Umaga may well sit out tests in the build up to the next World Cup.

The 32 year old All Blacks skipper hopes to lead his side to World Cup success in France in 2007 and Henry has revealed that he will 'look after him' in a bid to keep the centre fresh.

"We think if we look after him he can last but he has to have the desire to do that," Henry said.

"If we can manipulate his itinerary so he's not overplayed then I think he can go right through."

Henry has said he will rotate his All Blacks squad to ensure they develop depth in every position before the tournament in France.

And to keep Umaga fresh Henry intends to make sure the centre "doesn't play in every Test and play throughout the Super 14 and the national championship."

Henry has already revealed that he had considered resting Umaga for the Tri-Nations, which begins on Saturday when Australia play South Africa in Pretoria, but Umaga refused.

In the meantime, Henry has criticised the New Zealand public's attitude towards the All Blacks and their rivals, describing the nation's rugby fans as "arrogant."

Henry and his squad have been widely praised at home for their whitewash of the British and Irish Lions and are expected to capitalise on their status as favourites to reclaim the Tri-Nations, which also involves Australia and South Africa.

But the former Wales and Lions coach may have been reacting to the weight of such expectation when he said: "Generally speaking, New Zealanders are pretty arrogant about their feelings about the All Blacks and think they're the best team in the world.

"That's not the case, especially since the game has gone professional.

"We also have to give credit to other rugby nations around the world. They can play the game and it's not something New Zealanders acknowledge very often.

"Australia are a much stronger side now, especially over the last few years. England have improved though they've dropped off the pace in the last 18 months. And France. So I think it's just greater competition these days."

Henry's statement came as the All Blacks squad assembled to travel to South Africa for their opening Tri-Nations fixture against the reigning champions on August 6.

Elsewhere, Matt Henjak has been sent home from the Wallabies trip to South Africa and three other players fined after an incident at a night club in Cape Town last Wednesday.

Lote Tuqiri and Wendell Sailor have been fined and received suspended sentences for being away from the team hotel 'inappropriately late' after their involvement in the nightclub incident while Matt Dunning, who was also out, but not to the same time, has been fined.

Australian Team Manager, Phil Thomson who chaired the hearing, says once all the facts were gathered the Committee was able to implement the penalties.

"We do not have curfews, but we do have team standards, and we feel these team standards have been breached," said Thomson.