'Brilliant': Dave Rennie drops double All Blacks surprise ahead of Nations Championship clash with France

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie sprung a double surprise on Tuesday.

The former Wallabies boss is in New Zealand visiting Super Rugby teams in between his commitments in Japan with Kobe.

Having already locked in his coaching and high performance team, Rennie revealed that Sir Graham Henry would be joining the All Blacks as a selector - and that NBA star Steven Adams had been involved in the process to appoint a captain.

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Henry was in charge when New Zealand lifted the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and won an incredible 88 of his 103 matches in charge.

The 79-year-old will be one of three selectors alongside Rennie and assistant coach Neil Barnes, the straight talking dairy farmer from Taranaki.

"I'm really excited to bring Ted (Henry) in as a selector," Rennie said.

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"I've had a number of chats to him prior to applying for the job... and he did talk about the impact that Sir Brian Lochore had as a selector when he was coach and that sort of got me thinking.

"He's very passionate and he loves the jersey. He watches a lot of rugby and he's got pretty strong opinions on players so the conversations we've had have been brilliant."

Rennie said Henry had a list of 60 players on his selection radar.

The All Blacks open their Rennie era against France in the Nations Championship in Christchurch on July 4.

"He's an avid watcher of the game," Henry said.

"We're hoping that with his eye, he may see something different to us which will help get the right people within the squad."

In a 14 minute meeting with media in Auckland, Rennie also shared details of a recent two hour leadership video call that featured Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Tana Umaga, Keven Mealamu and Adams, the veteran Houston Rockets centre.

"They spoke about their views around leadership," Rennie said.

"I know there will be a lot of talk about captaincy, but the ability to grow the leadership within the group is paramount to us. We've got to target guys that we think want to lead, and they're prepared to challenge.

"That will take a little bit of time. And maybe the numbers will be less than what it was previously."

Scott Barrett captained the All Blacks under previous coach Scott Robertson but he has not played for the Crusaders this year as he manages his return from injury.

"I'm not sure about concern being the right word," Rennie said.

"Hopefully the Crusaders go well and make the playoffs and he gets back in time to wear the Crusaders jersey."

Rennie also confirmed that star No.10 Richie Mo'unga would not be available for the July Tests or the blockbuster six week tour of South Africa in August and September.

Mo'unga is currently playing in Japan and is not yet eligible for the All Blacks under New Zealand Rugby rules.

"He's got his head around it, he's prepared to go and play NPC," Rennie said.

"We've accepted that situation and understand New Zealand Rugby's mindset around it. We'll just get on with it now."

Rennie also hoped Test centurion Brodie Retallick - who plays for him at Kobe - could be convinced to come out of international retirement for next year's World Cup in Australia.

Remarkably for a lock, Retallick is the leading try-scorer in Japan's top flight.

"He's been the best player in Japan. It's all the other stuff Brodie does out there that's outrageous. He trains exactly the way he plays. I would still say Brodie is the best lock in the world," Rennie said.

"I wind Brodie up about all the time. I know he loves the All Blacks, and I reckon he's good enough."