Henry joins Blues coaching staff

Updated August 22, 2012 15:20:43

World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry will join the Blues as a technical advisor to help the Super Rugby franchise rebuild after a disappointing 2012 season.

The Blues said Henry would work with new head coach John Kirwan, who replaced Pat Lam last month after the three-times champions finished 12th on the ladder with 12 losses and four wins.

Henry, who stepped down as All Blacks coach after guiding the team to victory in the 2011 World Cup, was in charge of the Blues from 1996-98, when they won two of their titles.

Kirwan said Mick Byrne and Grant Doorey, who both previously worked with him when he coached Japan, would also join the coaching team.

"We've got a lot of work ahead of us but I believe the combination of this coaching group puts the Blues in good hands for 2013," he said.

AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, new-zealand

First posted August 22, 2012 12:00:02

View the original article here

Henry ready to take Pumas to next level

Updated May 31, 2012 12:20:39

World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry insisted he could take Argentina to another level as it prepares to take on the top sides in the southern hemisphere.

Henry has been appointed technical consultant to the Pumas, who will compete for the first time in the Rugby Championships - formerly the Tri Nations - against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

"Argentina are faced with a very important challenge but we need this in order to improve because we can't improve by playing the weakest, we need to play the strongest," said the former New Zealand and Wales coach.

Henry's role will be to work closely for seven weeks with head coach Santiago Phelan during preparations for international matches.

"My job with the coaches is to exchange ideas, and help them improve their game," explained Henry, who led the All Blacks for seven years but stepped down after leading them to glory at last year's World Cup on home soil.

"I'm going to work five weeks here, another two in New Zealand and Australia. I would like to help more but I have my family and they are at present by main responsibilty."

The 65-year-old, who was previously known as 'The Great Redeemer' for his work during four years with Wales, explained that his love of the game had been too much for him just to retire.

"Rugby is in my blood. Coaching is like a disease. I like coaching and I like the game. Argentina is a challenge and I enjoy a challenge. I also respect the people here. They are good people, good rugby people, so this is also a privilege for me."

"I think that Argentinian rugby is in good shape, as they did well in the last two World Cups.

"We've begun a process, and I'm impressed with all the information that I've received from the coaches. I hope that my ideas will be useful and allow them to continue to improve.

"This tournament is a big opportunity. We could feel inhibited but we could also give our best."

Praising the Puma "character, personality and fighting spirit", he added: "they defend very well, they only need to score more tries, that's all."

Phelan added: "It's with pride that Graham helps us. The Pumas staff are very keen to show him how we work so that he can give us his vision and apply his concepts."

The Pumas will play their inaugural Rugby Championships match against South Africa, on August 25, at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in the western city of Mendoza.

AFP

Tags: rugby-union, sport, argentina

First posted May 31, 2012 12:20:39

View the original article here

Henry doubts depth of Australian talent

Updated May 04, 2012 09:51:18

World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Graham Henry doubts whether Australia has the depth to continue to field five Super Rugby teams.

Henry believes guaranteeing a side entry into the semi-final purely by virtue of being the best team from its country devalues the tournament.

At present the Australia, New Zealand and South Africa conference winners progress to the play-offs, alongside the three other best finishing sides.

Australia's best performing side this season, the Brumbies, have the sixth best record in the competition despite playing more games against Australian opposition than Kiwi or Springbok sides.

"The Australian conference has been disappointing," Henry told Fox Sports.

"The idea of the team who wins each conference being in the semis may come under some question."

Super Rugby only allows teams to recruit two foreign players, meaning the bulk of a side's success revolves around home players, and Henry doubts whether there are enough good players in Australia to make up five sides.

"You wonder sometimes whether there's a depth of player to warrant five teams, and whether that's a positive for Australian rugby," Henry said.

"We need Australia strong - world rugby needs Australia strong.

"They're going to be strong as a group of 26 or 30 players, but we need some development underneath that. I'm not quite sure what the answer is."

Henry also spoke about Quade Cooper, who is nearing recovering from the knee injury suffered in the World Cup third-place play-off.

The former Wales coach said the Tokoroa-born fly half only had himself to blame for the bad reception he received during the tournament in his mother country.

"I've got a lot of respect for his ability to play the game, he's a talented player," Henry said.

"But a couple of Test matches prior (to the World Cup), in Hong Kong and then the Bledisloe Cup game in Brisbane, there were a couple of cheap shots.

"Those things live in people's memories.

"I think he brought it on himself quite frankly."

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-rugby, new-zealand

First posted May 04, 2012 09:39:56

View the original article here

All Blacks coach Henry knighted

Updated December 31, 2011 10:36:41

All Blacks coach Graham Henry, who guided New Zealand to Rugby World Cup victory in October, has been rewarded with a knighthood in the nation's New Year's honours list.

Henry, now Sir Graham, has been made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for his service to the national sport.

The honour comes after he redeemed himself in the eyes of a rugby-obsessed New Zealand public by taking the All Blacks to the World Cup win, albeit by a narrow 8-7 margin over France in the final.

Four years earlier, Henry had been publicly castigated in New Zealand when, again under his stewardship, the All Blacks crashed out of the 2007 World Cup in the quarter finals.

"I feel very honoured, very humbled in getting this award," Henry said after the knighthood was announced.

"Obviously winning the Rugby World Cup put the icing on the cake.

"I don't think I'd be standing here today if we hadn't done that."

The 65-year-old Henry, who is affectionately known as "Ted", stepped down as All Blacks coach after the World Cup ending a remarkable era which saw him rated as one of the most successful coaches in any sport.

In eight years at the helm, the All Blacks played 103 Tests and returned a winning average of 85.4 percent.

Henry has since turned down offers to join overseas clubs but said he is keen to develop an advisory coaching role, and not just for rugby.

"If I can pass some knowledge on to other coaches, not only in rugby but other sports, I'd enjoy that."

Richie McCaw, who captained the All Blacks to their World Cup victory, turned down the offer of an immediate knighthood saying it did not seem appropriate while he was still playing.

AFP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, rugby-union-world-cup, new-zealand

First posted December 31, 2011 08:47:46

View the original article here

Beware France, Henry warns All Blacks

Updated October 17, 2011 21:46:46

New Zealand will be the overwhelming favourite when it faces France in Sunday's World Cup final, a repeat of the inaugural 1987 match-up that the All Blacks won.

But All Blacks coach Graham Henry has warned that he would not underestimate a French side he said could be "the best in the world on their day", despite having already beaten Les Bleus 37-17 in a pool match at this tournament.

"We don't underestimate the ability of France," he said Monday.

"Although France didn't play well in their semi-final (the French just held on for a 9-8 win against 14-man Wales), we know they have the ability to play outstanding rugby."

Henry knows that better than most, having survived calls to be sacked after New Zealand's 20-18 World Cup quarter-final loss to France in Cardiff four years ago.

"Over the last eight years, we've lost once at home in Dunedin, and won all our games away apart from that quarter-final in the 2007 World Cup - that's the most bizarre game I've been involved in.

"But they (France) will be no more difficult to prepare for than Australia. It's a question of building in the week," Henry said.

"There'll be subtle changes in the game plan.

"France can be the best in the world on their day."

Forget the semi

Meanwhile cross-code star Brad Thorn, for whom the final is set to be his last outing in an All Blacks shirt, quoted advice from Wayne Bennett, his former Brisbane Broncos coach.

"He used to say that one of the hardest things is getting to the final," veteran lock Thorn recalled.

"Do you think anyone's going to remember who won a semi-final in 2011? No-one's going to care. It's all about what happens this weekend."

New Zealand advanced into the final on the back of a commanding 20-6 win over Australia in Auckland on Sunday.

"It was a great game, a heroic performance that everyone contributed to, and it was very pleasing in that respect," Henry said.

"Our kicking game was good at times but we could improve on that," he added having seen his side miss several shots at the posts.

"It was a big game because there's a bit of history and then there's the need to get into a World Cup final.

"It's been 24 years since the All Blacks have won a World Cup.

"The supporters knew it was a big step in the right direction getting through this game."

Henry added: "Australia are a very good side and they've got players, especially in their backs, who can you to pieces and win rugby games against the odds."

New strategies

New Zealand may be a rugby 'superpower' but it has won the World Cup just once and former Wales coach Henry said his approach to the tournament had changed from four years ago.

"In 2007 we took it one game at a time," he said.

"This year, we dissected the World Cup and its history and looked at why the All Blacks have not won in 24 years, and we used that to give us more knowledge.

"It's a new experience for this group (to get this far). It's very important we come down after the semi-final, get to base again, have a clean sheet of paper and build again.

"If we do it too early, that leads to anxiety."

Reflecting on the injury toll from Sunday's clash with the Wallabies, Henry said centre Ma'a Nonu, who scored the only try of the match, had suffered a neck strain with reserve scrum half Andy Ellis and wing Cory Jane both sustained knocks to their noses, while first-choice number nine Piri Weepu was battling a virus.

But Henry said all the fitness issues were "nothing serious".

AFP

Tags: rugby-union-world-cup, rugby-union, sport, new-zealand, france

First posted October 17, 2011 20:16:04

View the original article here