The new All Blacks coach also hailed Englands microscopic attention to detail and the foundations for success that have been laid in English domestic rugby.

But perhaps, most significantly of all, he has suggested a move away from the Super 12s glorified sevens style in order for New Zealand to rediscover hard-edged basic rugby rudiments.

Henrys comments came as he finalised preparations for his debut Test in charge against England at Carisbrook on Saturday.

The England squad flew into Dunedin from their Auckland training base, bidding to record a third successive victory over the All Blacks in 20 months after claiming just four wins during the previous 97 years.

It represents a seismic shift in fortunes between the two countries, and one that former Wales and Lions coach Henry is brutally realistic about.

While England can look forward to defending their world champions crown at France 2007, New Zealands wait for global supremacy will, by then, have stretched to 20 years after lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy on home soil in 1987.

Its Everest, basically, a huge challenge, said Henry, when asked how tough it will be to try and end Englands reign as world champions.

But it is always going to be like that. England are world champions, France are getting better, Ireland have really impressed me, so for the likes of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, its a major challenge.

Weve got a respect for rugby in Europe, and in particular, a respect for rugby in England.

The foundations of the game are particularly strong in the Premiership. Its a huge battle every week in most games, which provides a marvellous foundation for the international team.

Wayne Smith, Steve Hansen and myself (All Blacks coaching team) have all experienced and seen it at first-hand, and weve got a great respect at what is being produced.

There is a real good work ethic there, and a professionalism in the game. The quality of the game they are trying to produce - unit skills and individual skills - has a major emphasis, which there hasnt been here.

We have concentrated on the Jonah Lomus, the Jeff Wilsons and the Tana Umagas to do something brilliant to win a game of rugby, and we havent concentrated enough on the efficiency of unit play and individuals to produce a top team, he added.

Weve got a game here, the Super 12, which is the basis for international selection.

It is played in the summer, so it is played on hard grounds in 25-degree temperatures and it becomes a glorified game of sevens. You can win rugby, playing that style in those conditions.

But when you play in Dunedin on June 12 at 7.35pm, its not those conditions. Its the middle of winter, like it is in December and January in the UK, so it is a totally different ball game.

You cant play that style in international rugby. There has been a drift away from setting the forward platform to play the game, and there has to be a drift back to that if the All Blacks want to be major contenders in the future.

I just think its commonsense. You see the Premiership or the European Cup, where there is a huge contest for dominance up front week in, week out, which produces a real hard edge to the forward play in that part of the world.

There is then no transition required going into international rugby. Most of the Super 12 games havent got that intensity up front.

I think that we need to work very closely with the Super 12 coaches and share ideas and expertise, so that we are all working to the same ends, and maybe giving away a bit of the sevens style of rugby to concentrate on making sure that weve got the basics right.