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Cape Town - The All Blacks are already hard at work for a three-Test home series against France in June.
Coach Steve Hansen hosted a "foundation day" for 19 All Blacks from the Crusaders and Highlanders in Christchurch on Monday where he addressed reporters.
Hansen said he took note of 10th-ranked France’s 22-16 Six Nations win over England in Paris at the weekend.
The Kiwi mentor warned that it was only a perception among rugby fans that France were no longer a decent side.
As such, the New Zealand selectors have already instituted their plan to have the All Blacks at a high level of readiness for the series.
“We need some preparation time so it (the preparation programme) will give us a head start to get into that," Hansen told the All Blacks’ official website on Monday.
A new feature however, was the naming of the All Blacks squad of 32 for the French series before two three-day preparation camps from May 20-22 and May 27-29.
The need for the three foundation days and two camps had been forced on the selectors because the Super Rugby franchises had started their season later, and as they had in the past, the selectors reverted to the camp policy that had been used when that happened.
Hansen said another two 'foundation day' camps would be held for the North Island teams.
The get-togethers were to review what happened last year and to talk about what the side needed to do to keep getting better. There would be no other physical activity other than gym work while there would be some tweaks to their game which they wanted to implement.
"It's pretty much what the name says really, it's a foundation day to try and allow us to come together later in the year against what is going to be some tough opposition as you've seen them beat England," Hansen continued.
