Reconditioning a mistake - Henry

Graham Henry has been reappointed for two years. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Reappointed All Blacks coach Graham Henry has admitted that his controversial reconditioning programme was a mistake.

Asked about the withdrawal of senior players from the Super 14 to ensure they were at peak fitness for the World Cup, he said: "In hindsight it was a mistake. Perhaps we need to sit down again and find the appropriate time (for players to rest)".

"I think - we called it the conditioning window - it's important we discuss that particular period of the game and what is most appropriate for New Zealand's future," Henry said.

- Graham Henry has been reappointed for two years
- He said he was excited and hungry for the job
- He did not want to dwell on the World Cup but reconditioning was a mistake
- NZRU voted 7-1 in his favour and said he was the best man for the job
- Robbie Deans said he would concentrate on the Super14
- Stu Wilson said Deans should have got it
- Bull Allen said NZ rugby had matured

He said it was important that All Black management work in with high performance coaching staff, Rebel Sport Super 14 and the NPC when they choose the "conditioning window" time.

"We talked about referees and the transparency of what we are doing in the game so the coaches, players and referees are on the same wave length and how we can try and further that going into the future," he said.

However, there was no contrition about the rotation policy, which he says will continue, and no acceptance that the All Blacks played the wrong style of play to win rugby's greatest prize.

"We are ... very sorry that we couldn't bring that cup home to New Zealand," Henry uttered early in today's press conference.

He acknowledged that some people had expressed concern that some players did not have enough games heading into the World Cup but Henry disagreed.

"Most of those players were playing 17 or 18 games during that season, there were one or two who didn't like Ali Williams with a broken jaw, but in my experience that number of games is sufficient to play top rugby," Henry said.

The All Blacks' expansive playing style came in for question after the World Cup failure, particularly as champions South Africa and runners-up England both employed a game plan based on field position and forward domination.

Henry insisted he wouldn't steer his team down a more conservative path.

"I think our rugby players are skilful, they're explosive, they enjoy playing an attacking style of rugby," he said.