New Zealand head coach Graham Henry is hoping to manage his resources as he looks to prepare his squad for the rugby World Cup later this year on home soil. Henry is hoping to manage how many games his players compete in, in the lead up to the tournament to ensure they are fully fit in time for their opening match on September 9th.
Henry caused controversy in 2007 when he withdrew all of his squad from the second half of the Super 14 competition ahead of the competition later that year. His side went on to be knocked out by France in the quarter finals and Henry was on the receiving end of criticism for his handling of his players in an All-Blacks shirt.
The former British and Irish Lions coach has opted to use the same strategy again, but has insisted he will be more proactive in ensuring his players are sharp, but well rested in time for the tournament. He said: “Our biggest challenge is that they've got to be reasonably sharp mentally coming into the World Cup and the Tri Nations prior.”
"If they're tired, it's going to be very difficult. It's keeping them fresh; it's keeping on communicating with them and the Super 15 coaches to see how we can do that” he added.
Henry says he will be in constant contact with Superugby coaches ahead of the tournament in order to monitor his squad to “give them constant feedback on the way they're playing and how we think they can improve their game.”
The newly christened Superrugby, the latest guise of last season’s Super 14 competition will kick-off later this month, with 15 teams from Australia, South Africa and New Zealand competing in the tournament. The Melbourne Reds are the newest addition, and get their campaign under way against the Waratahs on Saturday.
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