Henry says All Blacks must play in new NPC

Graham Henry is convinced that the All Blacks should play in the revamped National Provincial Championship (NPC).

He also believes the national side will play Wales at the end of the year, that New Zealand's media is too negative and says the Lions tour will be the biggest rugby thing ever to hit the country.

The All Blacks coach made a flying visit to New Plymouth yesterday after an invitation from Sport Taranaki.

In front of a broad group of coaches and administrators from throughout the region, Henry was forced to give a short speech after encountering long delays with his flight from Auckland.

One thing he was still unsure of was whether or not the All Blacks would be playing in next year's revamped NPC premier division.

"We are still not getting a real solid answer on it and we can't get that confirmed by the administrators of the game," Henry said.

"I think it is important for the All Blacks and vitally important for the NPC because it will spread the talent and everybody will be a contender for the title."

His chief focus was on the upcoming Lions series.

"I think it's going to be an outstanding series and this country is never going to be the same again. It will change the country," he said.

"I think we are in good shape to play them. I don't want to be too upbeat but I think we will play bloody well."

Concerns that the All Blacks would not be able to fit in a fixture against the newly-crowned Six Nations champion Wales on the end of year tour were also alleviated.

"There will be a grand slam tour at the end of the year and we will play the Welsh again," he said.

Henry concentrated his only major criticism on the country's media.

"Eighty per cent of it is negative and I don't think that's good for the country," he said.

"It might sell newspapers but it's bullshit when it comes to developing New Zealanders to take on the world."

Henry also gave a brief insight into the approach now needed with rugby players compared with his style when the game first went professional.

"You have to cuddle them, rather than kick them. You have to work with the players to get the best out of them because if you try and tell them what to do, they're not used to that, and you can't kick them.

"I used to be one of those kickers but if I did that now, I wouldn't have a job. We have to try and create an environment that is smarter."

- NZPA