'I can't take de Villiers seriously' says Henry

Photo: Lawrence Smith

Arch foes: Springboks coach Peter de Villiers, below, congratulates Graham Henry on the All Blacks' victory at Eden Park a fortnight ago. Henry, above, says the Boks used spoiling tactics during the two tests but failed to dent the All Blacks' armour.

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Graham Henry has used the controversy Peter de Villiers has embroiled himself in to gently turn the screws on his Tri Nations rivals.

De Villiers made the outlandish claim this past week that the All Blacks recent supremacy over the Springboks was part of a conspiracy aimed at generating support before next year's world cup tournament.

Henry yesterday flew to the scene of the crime in Brisbane and watched the Wallabies open their Tri Nations campaign against South Africa.

Before he departed on his spying mission, he expertly distanced himself from the controversy.

"I can't really take anything [de Villiers] says seriously," Henry said.

"The penalty count in the two matches was in favour of South Africa. I appreciate they had a couple of yellow cards – one was very warranted and the other questionable. But I don't want to get into it too deeply for the reason I just outlined."

But Henry then landed a jab while sprinkling salt into South Africa's wounds claiming, rather more convincingly than de Villiers – whose credibility is at an all-time low – that the South Africans used illegal tactics while trying to match the All Blacks scrum in the opening matches of the Tri Nations.

To question the South African set piece is akin to questioning their manhood.

But Henry reckons the South African props bored into the All Blacks in order to disrupt and destabilise his side's possession.

"It is part of the South African game. It is what they do all the time. It is what they do in the Currie Cup and it seems to be an acceptable part of their game. But I think it is outside the law. OK – it wasn't as bad as it was in some other tests. But it is still part of the deal."

Wonky scrums have been a bee in Henry's bonnet for some time now and the set piece is set to become a major talking point before his side's next match against the Wallabies in Melbourne on Saturday.

Australia's scrum has been a laughing stock in recent years and was exposed in June by England.

However, Henry believes the Australians won't be pushovers.

"They scrummed very well last year in the Tri Nations," he said.

"Obviously this year they have had their issues with injuries leading into the Tri Nations so that has been a factor for them. But they have got two of their senior frontrowers back so that should make a difference."

Prop Benn Robinson started last night's test and experienced hooker Stephen Moore moved on to the bench. Henry said he was pleased with the depth at his disposal in the front row.

"The two Franks boys have developed a lot over the past year," he said.

"Woody is a proven world class performer and it is good to see him back doing the business. I think there are other players, but it takes time in the saddle to come up to international level."

Henry indicated Neemia Tialata's days in the team are far from numbered. "We spoke to him after the second Welsh test and we have exchanged a few emails about what was discussed at that meeting and what he needs to do to get back, and I think he is fairly close, actually. We are getting good reports out of Wellington."

The first Bledisloe will be played at Etihad Stadium, situated in the heart of Melbourne's Docklands, with, according to Henry, the roof closed.

"That should make it a good spectacle. We like playing the Wallabies. They are a totally different proposition to South Africa, which is good.

"It keeps us stimulated and, after a week's rest, I'm sure the boys will be ready to go."

Coach does his homework

Graham Henry indulged his other great sporting passion, fishing, on the Waitemata Harbour last week as the All Blacks enjoyed a richly deserved holiday. But it wasn't all rest and play for the All Blacks coach. Henry pored over video footage of the Wallabies' performances thus far this year and last week's test against South Africa.

After the euphoria of that stunning 31-17 win in Wellington, Henry said some concerns – mostly minor – had emerged. Chief among them was the All Blacks' lineout. So long the bugbear of the team, the All Blacks won six clean takes in Wellington but lost four. The Springboks kept a clean sheet (12 from 12).

Henry said: "We had a very good first half in the lineout but it fell away in the second. It's always a challenge and we have to get that right." Ever the hard taskmaster, Henry said he was also "disappointed" with how his team used possession off the set piece. One of the All Blacks' great strengths this year has been its counter-attack.

However, the concern is that a good defence will shut these opportunities down. "I was disappointed with the way we used possession off our set. It's an area we need to improve on to add some balance to our attack. There are plenty of opportunities, we just need to take them."

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