A member of Graham Henry's Auckland Grammar first XV and former teammate of Wayne Smith has joined the throng of coaching expertise helping mould the All Blacks for their end-of-year rugby tour.
John Mills, the former Canterbury, Auckland and two-game All Black hooker, answered the call to assist in Henry's
new guise as the All Blacks forwards' coach.
Mills, 49, is coaching with the Oxford club in North Canterbury and has been called in on a short-term basis to finesse the All Blacks' mauling, while adding another pair of eyes at scrummaging practice.
There has also been an enhanced Australian presence at the three-day camp in Auckland: kicking and skills expert Mick Byrne has been joined by another AFL devotee, Sydney Swans coaching assistant John Longmire.
He has been working with the backs on their kicking skills, a continuation of the working relationship which started earlier this year between the NZRU and the 2005 AFL Premiers.
Mills, who played for two seasons of Canterbury's 1982-85 Ranfurly Shield reign, was among a cluster of coaches hovering around the front rowers yesterday, offering his insights, while Henry, scrum coach Mike Cron and Steve Hansen looked on.
"He's got some really good ideas," said hooker Corey Flynn.
"We've had him help with some mauling. In the last couple of years the All Blacks and New Zealand mauls in general haven't been strong. We're trying to broaden our horizons there and use it as a bit of a tool."
The maul is back in vogue now the formation can no longer be pulled down as it was under the Experimental Law Variations.
Mills' involvement follows the unveiling of a virtual lineout contraption designed to help hookers with their accuracy by throwing at locks positioned on elevated platforms - the height they would usually soar to with the assistance of lifters.
The All Blacks had a two-hour training session before signing autographs for some of the 600 spectators who made a gold coin donation to the Samoan tsunami relief fund.
Midfield back Luke McAlister was again on the periphery, nursing an ankle injury as the potential test backline for next Saturday's fourth Bledisloe Cup test in Tokyo took shape.
Sitiveni Sivivatu looks certain to regain the left wing berth after a hamstring injury ruled him out of any duty with Waikato.
Centre Conrad Smith is also poised to return after his fragile hamstring withstood two practice sessions.
If he makes it through the final run today he will be released to play for Wellington against Tasman in Blenheim tomorrow night.
All Black management were keen to give the first-choice centre more game time before the team departs for Japan on Sunday.
Meanwhile, fullback Mils Muliaina moved to allay fears he could be underdone for the Bledisloe Cup finale, having been on an extended break since the All Blacks 33-6 win in game three on September 19.
Muliaina is under pressure for the No 15 jersey from Cory Jane, although the Wellingtonian should be on the right wing in Tokyo. The emergence of uncapped utility Ben Smith and Hawkes Bay's Israel Dagg - who missed selection - has also put the 77-cap veteran on notice.
"I've done a lot of hard work. I'm fresh and ready to go," Muliaina said.
New All Blacks Ben Smith (L), Mike Delany and Tamati Ellison stretch out in training yesterday. Photo / Sarah Ivey
A member of Graham Henry's Auckland Grammar first XV and former teammate of Wayne Smith has joined the throng of coaching expertise helping mould the All Blacks for their end-of-year rugby tour.
John Mills, the former Canterbury, Auckland and two-game All Black hooker, answered the call to assist in Henry's
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