All Blacks coach plays down Barbarians loss

All Blacks v Barbarians

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Barbarians' Matt Giteau kicks a conversion.

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TOUGH NIGHT: Ben Smith reacts after a Barbarians try.

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All Blacks coach Graham Henry does not believe today's 25-18 loss to the Barbarians has tarnished the end of year tour.

Though disappointed not to have won at Twickenham, Henry insisted the match had served a valuable purpose.

"No, I think we are very pleased with how the tour has gone," he said when asked if it had taken some gloss off last week's win over France. "The test team has re-established itself. There are young guys getting experience to back up that test team and they got experience today."

Henry conceded some players had not stepped up to the mark against the Barbarians, but said finding out where players were at was one of the main objectives of the tour.

"They knew they had an opportunity, they knew what the situation was. They had an opportunity to play at this level and they've done that and obviously we assess that," he said.

"Some guys played well and I think some guys didn't play as well as they'd hoped they'd play, so they are disappointed.

"But they get another opportunity next year when the Super 14 starts to put their hand up."

The coaches weren't naming individuals, but first-five Stephen Donald's wobbly 40 minutes would not have done him any favours.

His replacement Mike Delany had a tricky assignment, but also looked fairly pedestrian opposite Australian Matt Giteau.

For many of the younger All Blacks it was not so much a case of playing poorly, but of playing a level below their more experienced opponents.

Prop Wyatt Crockett, flankers Liam Messam and Tanerau Latimer fall into that category.

Conversely, halfback Brendon Leonard made a strong return to form, second five Luke McAlister and lock Anthony Boric impressed, and wing Ben Smith made further strides.

Henry refuted the notion that the All Blacks players' minds had been wandering toward the summer this week after six weeks on the road.

"The guys playing this game prepared well. They were playing against high quality players who are leaders in their particular national sides," he said. "I think that lack of experience probably told a little bit, but they will be better players for that.

"I'm sure they are looking forward to getting back. But the guys who played tonight I'm sure were keen to play well. It didn't happen, but I don't think they had a foot on the plane.

"I think they wanted to express themselves out there and they will be disappointed it didn't happen for them."

Overall Henry said the tour had achieved its main goals.

"The two objectives of the tour were to advance as a rugby team, and I think we've done that and won the five test matches which I think was critical," Henry said. "And to give the players an opportunity to play at this level and establish themselves for the future or not. They got that opportunity today."

Captain Richie McCaw said the final match was always going to be tough considering the strength of the opposition.

He hoped it would not overshadow the squad's five wins in the tests.

 "It would have been nice to finish off the season on a positive. Certainly the guys out on the field are a bit down.

"Sitting here straight after the game it is pretty disappointing, but I think once we look back and reflect there have been a lot of good things happen.

"The tests, which were most important, we did pretty well over those five weeks and last week you have to remember the things we did there were pretty good.

"As a whole when we look back when we get home it was pretty satisfying."

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