No star players, no worries: Henry
Thursday, January 25, 2007
All Blacks coach Graham Henry (here in Paris last November) doubts the absence of his squad of 22 "conditioning" players for most of the Super 14 rugby competition this season will detract from the tournament.
Speaking in Christchurch yesterday during a brief training camp for those players, Henry rubbished suggestions from some quarters that there would be little interest in the Super 14, starting next week, without its star players.
"I think it's a marvellous opportunity for 22 players who haven't played before and I think there'll be a lot of new faces come up this year ... new players who will go on to be top international footballers," he said.
The top 22 assembled in Christchurch yesterday for three days of conditioning, personal development sessions and fitness testing. It is one of three camps to be held in the lead-up to the Tri-Nations series against Australia and South Africa after which the All Blacks squad for the World Cup in France in September and October will be named.
"I think it's a marvellous opportunity for 22 players who haven't played before and I think there'll be a lot of new faces come up this year ... new players who will go on to be top international footballers," he said.
The top 22 assembled in Christchurch yesterday for three days of conditioning, personal development sessions and fitness testing. It is one of three camps to be held in the lead-up to the Tri-Nations series against Australia and South Africa after which the All Blacks squad for the World Cup in France in September and October will be named.
Henry reiterated there was no chance any of his current squad would be released early to their franchises for Super 14 duty.
Players were scheduled to rejoin their franchises for round eight of the Super 14.
"There won't be any flexibility on that at all," Henry said.
The All Blacks' absence gave "exciting" opportunities for younger, unheralded players to display their skills.
"I don't think it's going to devalue the competition at all," Henry said. While he would be keeping an eye on newcomers in the Super 14, Henry conceded it would be a "major challenge" for a bolter to make the final All Blacks World Cup squad.
Henry said individuals proved themselves as international players at Super 14 level rather than in Air New Zealand Cup matches.
Players were scheduled to rejoin their franchises for round eight of the Super 14.
"There won't be any flexibility on that at all," Henry said.
The All Blacks' absence gave "exciting" opportunities for younger, unheralded players to display their skills.
"I don't think it's going to devalue the competition at all," Henry said. While he would be keeping an eye on newcomers in the Super 14, Henry conceded it would be a "major challenge" for a bolter to make the final All Blacks World Cup squad.
Henry said individuals proved themselves as international players at Super 14 level rather than in Air New Zealand Cup matches.
"If somebody has a huge season, they've got a chance (for All Blacks selection)."
Henry said the 22 players gathered in Christchurch were not guaranteed selection later in the year.
"They know that. One of the strengths of these guys is they never expect that. They have to work for it and they know that," he said.
Fitness testing today, while not full-on, had shown players were at different stages of their fitness programs.
"They wouldn't have run as well as they'd hoped," Henry said.
A handful of players had "minor niggles".
Captain Richie McCaw had a quad strain and Rodney So'oialo, Reuben Thorne, Mils Muliaina and Keven Mealamu were showing "little hamstring problems".
Henry said the 22 players gathered in Christchurch were not guaranteed selection later in the year.
"They know that. One of the strengths of these guys is they never expect that. They have to work for it and they know that," he said.
Fitness testing today, while not full-on, had shown players were at different stages of their fitness programs.
"They wouldn't have run as well as they'd hoped," Henry said.
A handful of players had "minor niggles".
Captain Richie McCaw had a quad strain and Rodney So'oialo, Reuben Thorne, Mils Muliaina and Keven Mealamu were showing "little hamstring problems".
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