The joke doing the rounds down in the Southern Hemisphere is that the South African and Australia teams will have a chance of winning the Super 14 this because New Zealand are resting their star players.

While it may only be the kiwis laughing at the joke, they will have even a bigger smile on their face as the 22 star All Blacks are put through an intensive six week conditioning camp to hone their skills for the World Cup.


Every coach in the world will be feeling a pang of jealousy as Graham Henry has almost unlimited access to his top players with no club v country hurdle to cross.

"This is a very important part of our development through to the World Cup," said Henry on The Rugby Club.
"It is something we have worked on for a couple of years. It took some time to get through all the steps that needed to get through to get a conditioning window for 22 All Blacks. "We are fortunate that we have been able to persuade the right people to support this and the New Zealand rugby franchises and the New Zealand rugby union have been great in their support.

"It has come together which is marvellous. This is absolutely essential for the World Cup in my opinion."

Follow up:

Richie McCaw, the man who many expect to be lifting the Webb Ellis trophy in France later this year, believes that this sort of camp should become a regular part of the season.

"I feel this is something that players need regularly to keep your enthusiasm up to play and to feel that you are improving," said Mccaw.
"Guys who don't play for the All Blacks usually get a month before Christmas and then a couple of weeks before they play to do that.
"Where as the All Black guys barely get that. In time I think it is going to have to be looked at seriously how players can get this sort of thing more regularly."

Those who think the 22 are being wrapped in cotton wool had better think again as McCaw reveals that it is tougher than playing.

"Monday to Friday we are working really hard." added McCaw.
"I don't think everyone understands that we are probably working harder than when we are actually playing.
"We are doing a lot of gym work and a lot of conditioning work and plenty of skills as well.Our days are pretty full we are working on the little parts that you perhaps brush over at times."

Source: The Rugby Club on Sky Sports