By Chris Barclay of NZPA

Auckland, Oct 22 NZPA - Wayne Smith had a chance to leave his new imprint on the All Blacks structure today when the team's defensive strategies were fine-tuned before preparations for the end of year tour camp wound up in Auckland.

While the forwards continued to focus on the lineout and restarts, Smith also took centre stage during the final two-hour training session, with his tweaks on one of the All Blacks' strengths under previous defence coach Graham Henry.

While attack -- Smith's previous responsibility as backs coach -- has faltered during the All Blacks' moderately successful 2009 campaign, the defensive alignments generally held firm.

Tri Nations champion South Africa might have amassed 91 points during their three-test sweep over the All Blacks but they only scored four tries.

New Zealand conceded 174 points in nine internationals this season, at 19.3 per game, a dip considering the 2008 side leaked a mere 13.5 per match over 16 games.

Given Henry's defensive tactics remain sound, it is no surprise Smith has so far made only minor alterations.

"It's all quite similar," said loose forward Jerome Kaino.

"There's some little techniques in the tackle .... he's been teaching new things for the guys to try out on the field."

Kaino said the side's first defensive workout under Smith was more of a "learning process".

The camp ended early afternoon, the players dispersing to their homes though centre Conrad Smith headed to Blenheim to play for Wellington in tomorrow night's Air NZ Cup match against Tasman to log more game time.

Luke McAlister (ankle) was the only player not to run with the side.

The 33-man squad reassembles in Auckland on Sunday to fly out to Tokyo ahead of the tour opening fourth Bledisloe Cup test next Saturday.

Although the All Blacks are on a six-match winning streak against Robbie Deans' Wallabies, Kaino towed the party line that nothing would be taken for granted.

"We're expecting a lot from Australia. If we look back to the Wellington test, we went in their with our backs against the wall and now Australia under the same pressure," he said of the lead-up to the All Blacks 33-6 triumph last month.

"We knew what it was like to be under the pump before the performance the boys put up in Wellington, Australia are in a similar situation -- we expect a big fight back from them."

Kaino, meanwhile, is also waging a personal battle with Adam Thomson for the blindside flanker's role, the berth he made his own on last year's Grand Slam tour.

The 22-cap Aucklander was among the stand out players on that journey but came under increasing pressure during the All Blacks' failed defence of the Tri Nations, conceding the starting role to Thomson for the latest Bledisloe.

"It was quite disappointing not to play in that last test," Kaino said.

"It's an awesome challenge for me to have Adam there. He's on the top of his game and it is quite healthy for the loose forwards to have a contest for a spot in the team.

"It's going to be a huge challenge for me to get that jersey back."

At the other end of the spectrum utility back Mike Delany was simply pleased to get to grips with his first experience of the All Black environment.

One of four uncapped players, the Bay of Plenty and Chiefs first five-eighth said the magnitude of his selection hit home when he had to address the team on what it felt to make the All Blacks.

"Looking at all those faces was pretty surreal, I had to pinch myself a bit.

"I said it was a huge shock to me and I was looking forward to the opportunity," said Delany, who has learned the ropes by rooming with Dan Carter.