Woodward wants to emulate aura of All Blacks

By WYNNE GRAY

When he speaks, his thoughts are delivered in a soft voice. But Sir Clive Woodward's expertise has made England a big noise on the international rugby circuit.

Since he accepted the red rose coaching tracksuit in late 1997, Woodward has taken England through 80 tests for just 19 defeats. His sides have chipped away at the All Blacks' historical superiority.

England have the Crown Jewels, aka the Rugby World Cup, and are defending a 12-test winning sequence against Tri-Nations sides when they meet the All Blacks on Saturday at Carisbrook.

Impressed? You should be, there is no alternative. Results are the most tangible evidence of sporting success, compelling answers about employment contracts.

Since Woodward began coaching at international level, the All Blacks have lost 17 of their 68 tests and replaced head coaches John Hart, Wayne Smith and John Mitchell.

Where once the rugby aura was with the All Blacks, everything England does now appears to be glossy.

The turnaround is striking, the reversal underpinned by repeated rhetoric from experienced rugby men like Graham Henry, Steve Hansen, Wayne Smith, Warren Gatland, Pat Lam and Todd Blackadder.

Even if some of the oratory is about getting excuses in early, England's success is a powerful argument. And a record Woodward is clearly proud of when he notes the unbeaten run against the Southern Hemisphere nations, dating back to June 2000, is as impressive as the World Cup triumph.

His squad on this trip may be shorn of some class names but Woodward does not accept this is a tour for emerging or developing talent.

He does not like those terms. Playing the All Blacks remained one of the true tests of international rugby ability, Carisbrook was the arena for that initial inquisition.

The 48-year-old Woodward has been at the forefront of change for England rugby. He endured the 1998 "Tour from Hell" when clubs dictated which players were available and from those ruins, along with some prescient administrators, Woodward has created the most professional rugby side in the world.

He agreed yesterday the All Blacks remained the ultimate challenge; a rise in adrenaline levels already indicated that for the twin-test series. England wanted to match the rugby history of nations like New Zealand and South Africa.

"We are trying to build a tradition of success, which is what the All Blacks are built on," Woodward said.

England based their style on doing the basics properly, making sure they were expert at lineouts and scrums. Otherwise, Woodward said, it was difficult to win at the very highest level.

It is a significant exam for Woodward as he looks, with his altered squad, to repair a ragged Six Nations series. It is equally essential for the new All Black staff to make a strong statement at the start of their 2004 campaign.

Carisbrook is a tantalising prospect, but with that edge, Eden Park will be a ding-dong second test.

* While England had their first light training run yesterday in Auckland, the All Blacks did likewise after arriving in Dunedin. They were greeted by snow down to about 400m and very chilly temperatures.

Both teams will announce their test choices tomorrow.

The All Blacks denied they would be employing former Lions and Wales prop David Young as a scrum technician.

Young approached coach Graham Henry a while ago and asked if he could spend some time with the All Blacks as part of his coaching development. Henry acceded and reiterated yesterday the deal was for Young's benefit and had been instigated by the prop.