Ospreys coaches link up with NZ

Ospreys coaches Jonathan Humphreys and Andrew Millward are to spend a week learning from the All Blacks.

The pair head to New Zealand next week where they will shadow national coaches Graham Henry and Steve Hansen, plus some of the country's Super 14 coaches.

"By tapping into such a rich vein of knowledge they can only improve as coaches," said the Ospreys' Kiwi boss Andrew Hore, who organised the trip.

But the timing could be unfortunate, with Henry under increasing pressure.

Saturday's 34-19 loss to Australia in Sydney saw widespread criticism of the All Blacks coach, who has been in a vulnerable position since his side's World Cup failure last year.

The Wallabies will claim the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2003 if they win the return Tri Nations game in Auckland's Eden Park next Saturday.

Ex-Wales hooker Humphreys, who played for Wales under Henry and Hansen, took the Ospreys caretaker coaching role alongside Sean Holley after the departure of Lyn Jones at the end of last season.

The pair are set to lead the Liberty Stadium side until at least November.

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Stalwart prop Millward, 34, is expected to stay registered as an Ospreys player next season and will cut his coaching teeth in charge of the forwards at Bridgend RFC.

"Areas for attention have been identified and they will travel with a specific mandate," Hore told the Wales on Sunday newspaper.

"They'll be looking at the Ospreys' game plan and specific points pertinent to their own coaching styles, as well as changes to the game such as the Experimental Law Variations."

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