Henry gets tough over 'glory' play

Graham Henry made it clear today New Zealand would have to stop playing "glorified sevens" if they want to challenge World Cup holders England at the 2007 tournament in France.

Henry, the former Lions and Wales coach who is now in charge of the All Blacks, refused to lambast his predecessors but it was clear from his harsh words that New Zealand rugby has forgotten how to produce a ball-winning pack able to fight toe-to-toe with England.

He believes the Super 12 tournament - contested by provincial sides from New Zealand, Australia and South Africa - is to blame and he holds up England's Zurich Premiership and Heineken Cup as examples of how to prepare players for international rugby.

This could, however, be an attempt by Henry to lull England's formidable forwards into a false sense of security leading up to Saturday's first Test in Dunedin.

Henry based his thesis on the experience he gained with Wales and the similar views expressed by fellow All Black coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith.

Henry said: "In New Zealand we have concentrated on the Jonah Lomus, Jeff Wilsons and Tana Umagas to do something brilliant to win a Test match and haven't looked closely enough at units within the team and the need to be competitive in the forwards.

"Why did it happen? Well, as a basis for international competition for our players we have the Super 12, which is played in summer on hard grounds and high temperatures.

"It has become a glorified game of sevens rugby and we can win playing that style in those kind of conditions but that's not what it will be like in Dunedin on Saturday night against England.