New Zealand coach Graham Henry has revealed the methods he uses to get the optimum performance from his players.
With the All Blacks ready to welcome the touring British & Irish Lions, Henry told the Taranaki Daily News: "You have to cuddle them, rather than kick them.
"You have to work with the players to get the best out of them because if you try and tell them what to do, they’re not used to that, and you can’t kick them.
"I used to be one of those kickers but if I did that now, I wouldn’t have a job. We have to try and create an environment that is smarter."
And Henry is convinced that the All Blacks should play in the revamped Air New Zealand National Provincial Championship (NPC).
"We are still not getting a real solid answer on it and we can’t get that confirmed by the administrators of the game," he said.
"I think it is important for the All Blacks and vitally important for the NPC because it will spread the talent and everybody will be a contender for the title."
