Significance of Croke Park not lost on Henry

RUGBY:THE SIGNIFICANCE of the venue for Saturday's Test match between Ireland and New Zealand will be addressed by the All Blacks as part of their preparations. New Zealand coach Graham Henry confirmed as much on a day when he announced his strongest available line-up for the eagerly-anticipated international.

This will be the first visit of rugby's most iconic team to Croke Park, an experience which New Zealand are looking forward to. Henry admitted: "Yeah we will do," when asked whether the subject of the venue would be broached ahead of the Test match. "It's very significant and the boys need to know about that. We will do that before Saturday. We are going to be there on Friday so it is very important we do that."

He accepted Croke Park would provide Ireland with an emotive backdrop. "I'm sure there is (an advantage for Ireland playing there). There's always an advantage playing at home. I think there is going to be 82,000 people there (it's potentially an 82,300 sell-out), mostly Irish: that's hugely significant for a home side.

"I think it is one of the largest stadiums in Europe. Top three? It's going to be massive but it's going to be a marvellous experience as well and hopefully that will bring the best out of the guys."

Saturday will be the first occasion that Henry will have tussled with his Irish counterpart, Declan Kidney, as the respective head coaches of national sides but not the first time their paths have crossed. The New Zealander elaborated: "I have had a little association with him over the years; (he's) a hell of a good man. He has been the Munster coach and won a couple of European Cups. Obviously the Munster boys played for him and I'm sure the Irish boys will do the same."

Henry added: "I have been very impressed with their (Ireland's) style in recent times. I thought they played a hell of a good style on the (summer) tour.

"They will have been disappointed with their displays last season but some other teams will have been disappointed with theirs too. The way they played the game on the Southern (Hemisphere) tour in June was pretty refreshing: a lot of counter-attack, a lot of back play, good balance, good forwards. They'll be looking to add to that in the three upcoming Test matches.

"I think change sometimes brings the best out of a team; it happens early. There are a lot of examples of that. Although Declan is a new coach at this level, most of the players he's coaching he has coached before. It's not as though they don't know him. I don't think the transition will be too difficult for him. It might be very stimulating."

New venue, new opposing coach but Henry would dearly love to ensure one constant in a time of change: that the All Blacks maintain their unbeaten record against Ireland.