The All Blacks cautiously acknowledged the presence of Wayne Barnes and even offered him some advice while the Scottish talked up his abilities. But the English referee remains off-limits to New Zealand media ahead of this weekend's test at Murrayfield.
Barnes will referee the All Blacks for the first time since, well, you know when - that shocking performance in the World Cup quarter-final just over a year ago in Cardiff.
Henry has remained tight-lipped on criticising Barnes ever since and wouldn't budge again.
When RugbyHeaven asked Henry if he had analysed any of Barnes' recent refereeing performances, he replied in his usual dry fashion: "I've seen Wayne referee a couple of games recently. So the answer is yeah."
Barnes ran a touchline during the All Blacks' Tri-Nations win over the Springboks in Cape Town in September. It was only natural to ask Henry if he had caught up with Barnes then.
"I saw him. We exchanged pleasantries, Duncan," came the reply.
The Scots were asked if they expected Barnes to be under any extra pressure from the New Zealanders because of the "history" between him and the All Blacks?
Scotland coach Frank Hadden didn't believe it would be an issue although it seems he has deemed it worthy enough to have already discussed the matter with IRB referees boss Paddy O'Brien.
The former New Zealand ref has staunchly defended O'Brien over the past 12 months.
"Paddy O'Brien has assured me that he has every confidence in Wayne Barnes' ability to deal with what may have been perceived as a difficult situation for him," said Hadden.
Yes, but did Hadden have that same confidence?
"I have every confidence in Paddy O'Brien and Wayne Barnes," said Hadden.
Fairfax Media contacted O'Brien to see if Barnes would be prepared to do an interview.
O'Brien responded, as he did to a similar request before the Cape Town test, that Barnes did not want to talk to the media - especially the New Zealand media - ahead of Saturday's international.
It seems he will let his whistle do the talking.
But the All Blacks were happy to give Barnes a little bit of direction ahead of this Grand Slam opener here.
The breakdown looms as the usual contentious area under the northern ELVs that will rule this match. Henry was happy to offer some advice.
"The interpretation at the breakdown was refereed well in Hong Kong," said Henry.
"That is, the tackler has to get away from the ball, so he tackles and has to get on his feet. He can't impede the ball.
"If the referee concentrates on that factor first most of our problems at the breakdown will be alleviated. Then he needs to look at the next guys arriving and if they arrive through the gate and they stay on their feet.
"I realise it's a hard area to referee because there's a lot of bodies being fired in there in a very short period of time.
"If he's got to be very clear vision of what's required there it works. It worked at the weekend and both sides got reasonably quick ball.
"The biggest challenge is for the referee to be there, so he can actually see that.
"If he can be there and see that it helps."
Scotland's assistant coach Mike Brewer added his backing to Barnes in the key area of controlling the scrums which he believed had been a "debacle" in the Hong Kong test between the All Blacks and Wallabies last weekend.
"Wayne Barnes won't allow that to happen. Wayne is very strict on the engagement," said Brewer.
