All Blacks must climb Everest to win RWC2007

Graham Henry tonight claimed New Zealand face a task of “Everest” proportions to prise the World Cup away from England in three years’ time.

The new All Blacks coach also hailed England’s microscopic attention to detail and the foundations for success that have been laid in English domestic rugby.

But perhaps, most significantly of all, he has suggested a move away from the Super 12’s “glorified sevens” style in order for New Zealand to rediscover hard-edged basic rugby rudiments.

Henry’s comments came as he finalised preparations for his debut Test in charge against England at Carisbrook on Saturday.

The England squad flew into Dunedin from their Auckland training base, bidding to record a third successive victory over the All Blacks in 20 months after claiming just four wins during the previous 97 years.

It represents a seismic shift in fortunes between the two countries, and one that former Wales and Lions coach Henry is brutally realistic about.

While England can look forward to defending their world champions’ crown at France 2007, New Zealand’s wait for global supremacy will, by then, have stretched to 20 years after lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy on home soil in 1987.

“It’s Everest, basically, a huge challenge,” said Henry, when asked how tough it will be to try and end England’s reign as world champions.

“But it is always going to be like that. England are world champions, France are getting better, Ireland have really impressed me, so for the likes of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, it’s a major challenge.

“We’ve got a respect for rugby in Europe, and in particular, a respect for rugby in England.

“Wayne Smith, Steve Hansen and myself (All Blacks coaching team) have all experienced and seen it at first-hand, and we’ve got a great respect at what is being produced.

“There is a real good work ethic there, and a professionalism in the game. The quality of the game they are trying to produce – unit skills and individual skills – has a major emphasis, which there hasn’t been here.

“We have concentrated on the Jonah Lomu’s, the Jeff Wilson’s and the Tana Umaga’s to do something brilliant to win a game of rugby, and we haven’t concentrated enough on the efficiency of unit play and individuals to produce a top team,” he added.

“We’ve got a game here, the Super 12, which is the basis for international selection.

“It is played in the summer, so it is played on hard grounds in 25-degree temperatures and it becomes a glorified game of sevens. You can win rugby, playing that style in those conditions.

“But when you play in Dunedin on June 12 at 7.35pm, it’s not those conditions. It’s the middle of winter, like it is in December and January in the UK, so it is a totally different ball game.”

Henry admits that he is a great admirer of England’s unrelenting work in fine-tuning every aspect of their game.

“I was extremely impressed by the lineout lifting of the England team in the World Cup. Compared to everyone else, they were in the 90% bracket and everybody else was around the 50 or 60% mark,” he said.