Henry says stars need more time off to survive

BY DUNCAN JOHNSTONE

All Blacks coach Graham Henry, surveying an alarmingly large injury list, believes leading players need a three months break over the summer to better equip them for the demands of top rugby.
Henry in talks with McAlister

Henry made his case as evidence stacked up with virtually a team of All Blacks missing some or all of the opening two matches of the Super 14.

Richie McCaw, Ali Williams, Mils Muliaina, Richard Kahui, Leon MacDonald, Brad Thorn, Andrew Hore, Piri Weepu, Jimmy Cowan, Jamie Mackintosh, Rudi Wulf, Sione Lauaki, Conrad Smith, and Corey Flynn have all required medical attention. Keven Mealamu has been battling through the pain barrier to lead the Blues and, of course, superstar Dan Carter is out of action after surgery to an Achilles injury from his stint in France.

Henry took a fatalistic view on the current toll, admitting injuries were part of the game.

"It's a concern, it's an irritation quite frankly. But there's nothing we can do about it. Thank goodness it's not June," said Henry as he addressed New Zealand media on Wednesday.

The situation isn't new but little seems to change and that's the worrying thing as administrators on both sides of the equator try to sort out a global season that will ease the pressures on the top players.

"Everybody is working on that ... the NZRU, Sanzar, the IRB ... everybody's very conscious of that," said Henry.

"But the reality is that's not the reality at the moment. The reality is they are playing rugby now and we just have to do our best with that reality. As I say it's a frustration."

That frustration then led Henry to suggest more time off was needed for the top players.

When the touchy subject of his controversial 2007 World Cup rehabilitation programme was raised, Henry insisted that was done "to make sure that the guys had sufficient time to prepare correctly for that particular season".

Something similar was required for the stars to avoid burnout and an injury crisis like one that has hit the current Super 14.

"That's the ideal situation really ... if you could have a three month period where they have a preseason where they are in the best nick that they could be.

"But that's not a reality at the moment."

Smith, the premier All Blacks centre, suggested something similar as he missed the preseason and opening round of the Super 14 with an injury hangover from last year's All Blacks season.

"We either have a shortened season and that upsets people because we have to get rid of some games somewhere, or else we have a season like we have now, where you have weeks where guys just aren't able to play," said Smith.

Smith's Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper supported his views.

But not everyone is from the same school of thought.

The Sharks New Zealand-born coach John Plumtree said he was sick of hearing the talk of players being tired and he felt they needed to prove their professionalism.

That drew a quick response from Henry.

"I don't think the players are soft at all. They do a huge job - they play for 10 months of the year and it's a very physical game," said Henry.

"The game has changed since John played - there's a lot more physical contact, there are bigger people and they run at greater speed.

"I still think there is a need for the right preseason so the guys can play top rugby at the right time.

"The administrators are well aware of that. It's just a difficulty implementing that. Hopefully they continue working on it and get the right solution."

It appears the All Blacks will get some relief from the prolonged Air New Zealand Cup where Henry doesn't expect them to feature "unless they have been injured and need to play to make sure they are right for rugby above that level".

He believes that's sensible or the top players are going to be facing more than 30 games a year of preseason, Super 14, domestic tests, Tri-Nations action, Air New Zealand Cup and an end of year tour.

"It (the Air New Zealand Cup is a very good competition and has been for a long time. But it's about making priorities about what guys play in. Something has to give and I think the decision is that the All Blacks won't play (in the Air New Zealand Cup)."

Is Graham Henry right? Do our top players need longer breaks? Have your say below.

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