Rugby: All Blacks to unleash innovations on France

The All Blacks hope to test-drive some innovations in style of play and structure when they meet France in three tests next month.

First-five Beauden Barrett has hinted that the team's brain trust has introduced new wrinkles to the game plan, as they look to continued evolution towards the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

"There's always innovation when it comes to [Foster] and [Hansen]," Barrett told media at the All Blacks' Auckland mini-camp on Monday.

"It's just about us challenging ourselves, particularly around our skill sets, but also some structural change as well. The coaches have picked up on a few trends and few ideas as to how to keep moving.

"You'll gradually see it in the next few weeks. I don't want to give away too much."

While it's unclear exactly what the new developments may be, it appears they will include a focus on countering the ever-increasing speed of defensive lines.

"Everyone's picking up on the idea of line speed," said Barrett. "Teams are getting better and better at defending that way, so you have to be innovative in how you attack that.

"It's a continuous thing and everyone in the world's trying to do it. We've got our ideas and I'm looking forward to implementing them out on the training field."

The Hurricanes pivot indicated the changes would be centred around both team-wide structure and individual skillsets, and he couldn't help but grin as he confirming that he, in particular, would enjoy them.

However, he also warned that the changes would be far from wholesale, given the limited opportunities for development before the opening June 6 fixture.

"It has to be incremental," said Barrett. "You have to have a lot of continuity, particularly with the preparation times we have, hence these two camps going forward before the first test.

"We're looking forward to getting together, and running through a few minor changes today and tomorrow. It's important that we keep moving forward and challenging ourselves."

The 33-man All Blacks squad will head back to their respective Super Rugby franchises on Thursday, before reuniting during the international break, beginning the week of June 4.

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