Mills joins NZ staff

The All Blacks have broken with tradition by reshuffling their existing coaches in the hope of injecting some new ideas for the end of season tour.

Head coach Graham Henry has taken over Steve Hansen's role as forwards coach. Hansen is now acting as attack coach while Wayne Smith has moved from coaching the backline to defence coach.

Mills, who represented the All Blacks in two non-Test matches in 1984, was invited by Henry, his former schoolmaster, to help with scrummaging at training before the team flies to Japan on the weekend for their test against Australia on October 31.

Another surprise visitor to training was Aussie Rules assistant coach John Longmire, who was invited to pass on some kicking tips.