Henry’s All Black era is over
1 Nov 2011
Graham Henry officially announced his retirement as All Blacks coach on Tuesday.
Nine days after winning the World Cup, the 65-year-old has ended his impressive eight-year tenure with the All Blacks.
Since taking over from John Mitchell after the 2003 World Cup, Henry’s All Blacks have claimed the 2011 World Cup title, five out of eight Tri-Nations titles, completed Grand Slam tours in 2005, 2008 and 2010 and thumped the 2005 British and Irish Lions. He also boasts a success rate of 85.4% from 103 Tests.
‘I’m stepping down as All Blacks coach. I’ve had enough. I’ve been involved in 103 Tests with the All Blacks, but a 140 in total,’ Henry told the large media contingent at Auckland University.
“It’s been a privilege, an enormous privilege. I’m very proud of what they’ve done over the last eight years. They’ve certainly added to the legacy of All Blacks rugby. And that’s very important to this team.’
Henry credited his long-term captains Tana Umaga and Richie McCaw and his coaching staff for the team’s success during his tenure. He also backed his assistant coach Steve Hansen as the favourite to take over as the new All Blacks head coach.
‘I think Steven Hansen should do the job. That does give us continuity of what’s happened over the last eight years and what goes on in to the future. That’s really important.’
In terms of future jobs, Henry said he was ‘keen’ on playing a mentor role with New Zealand’s franchise and provincial coaches.
‘I’ve been doing that [mentoring franchise and provincial coaches] for the last eight years anyway. So we spend a lot of time at the Highlanders and Crusaders. I would like to continue that, probably on a more formal basis with a real structure to it.’
But Henry also revealed that he is interested in working abroad. In the UK press, he’s been heavily linked with a coaching post in England’s management team.
‘I’d like to have an affiliation with one organisation. I don’t believe you can do a decent job if you spread too wide. If I can find the right club or right union, and they have got the desire for me to be involved, I’d like to do that.’
Meanwhile, Henry, with Hansen’s assistance, will manage the Barbarians side that will face the Wallabies on 26 November.
Graham Henry – The Facts and Figures as listed by Rugbyheaven’s Duncan Johnstone
*Graham Henry finishes his All Blacks career as one of the most successful coaches of all time. He coached the All Blacks to 88 wins in 103 tests for a winning percentage of 85.4 percent, including 29 of the last 32 tests and 48 of their 51 tests at home.
*The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe Cup, played for against Australia, every year of Henry’s coaching reign; won the Tri-Nations five times; won three Grand Slams; and hold all the trophies against other major rugby nations: *The Freedom Cup (South Africa), the Dave Gallaher Cup (France) and the Hillary Shield (England).
*He coached a team at the Rugby World Cup for a record 16 times (including Wales in 1999) and his 13 RWC wins are unchallenged.
*He has won the International Rugby Board’s Coach of the Year award a record five times (2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2011); been the New Zealand Coach of the Year four times (1995, 2005, 2006 and 2008); and in 2008 also received the Pierre de Coubertin Trophy awarded by the International Committee for Fair Play (ICPF).
*Born on 8 June in 1946 in Christchurch, Henry attended Christchurch Boys’ High School and the University of Otago before embarking on a long career as a teacher – and rugby coach. He taught and coached the First XV at two Auckland schools, Auckland Grammar and Kelston Boys’ High School, becoming headmaster at Kelston in 1987 until his professional rugby coaching career began in 1996.
*He coached the Auckland provincial side to championship titles four years in a row from 1993 to 1996 and the Blues Super Rugby side to glory in 1996 and 1997. He coached Wales from 1998 to 2002, and in 2001 became the first southern hemisphere coach to coach the British and Irish Lions.
*He returned to New Zealand in 2003 and was appointed All Blacks coach with Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen as his assistants.
91 Comments
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2 Nov 2011, 06:39 am
@HongKongSlong(HongKongSlong)-49: Mon-key? Is that really offensive?!?!?!
2 Nov 2011, 06:41 am
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-50:
That is one of the story’s I have heard, but even if it is true, Dean’s personal opinion outside of rugby influenced his selections, and Mitchell endorsed his decision.
2 Nov 2011, 12:12 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-48: Yeah Tackles, we yarpies are just a bunch of sausages ain’t we?
2 Nov 2011, 12:14 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-40: I reckon Mitchell would be fantastic for the boks, I reckon his strict methods maybe didn’t sit well with the more expressive AB’s but I think his style suits us perfectly. It’s strange SA seems to have all the best refs and NZ all the best coaches (not saying anything about players….it’s still too painful!)
2 Nov 2011, 13:25 pm
@Skeppie(Skeppie)-54:
Maybe next time around if he’s still in SA he’ll get the job, yip the AB coaching stocks look good for years to come, Steve Walsh is our bext ref!
2 Nov 2011, 13:26 pm
best ref
2 Nov 2011, 13:26 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-40: @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-40:
Keep in mind he had some great players to hand – unlike P de Villiers, he harnessed them and let them run … (with a little help from his friends )
2 Nov 2011, 15:10 pm
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-57:
sure he had the best player of the modern generation as the foundation of his team but his record over 100 odd tests will never be beaten
2 Nov 2011, 15:19 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-58:
Mitchell would have done better – anyway, it’s all hypothetical – I notice also that Henry wasn’t very popular among a lot of the home population … and they would have strung him up if NZ didn’t win the Cup
I think Steven Hansen is pretty smart as well
2 Nov 2011, 15:27 pm
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-59:
you’re pretty sold on Mitchell I hope he doesn’t disappoint, GH was unpopular in that little village Christchurch, GH also won two s12 titles so not sure how you can say Mitchell would have done better in anycase Henry has all the runs on the board and has done it all there can be no disputing that, whats your take on the Bokke next year, lean times again between WC’s or a revival, your boys desparately need some silverware…
2 Nov 2011, 17:03 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-60:
How long is a piece of string? It depends on the coach … and then the administrators and the politicians …. the talents is there, no question. (Incidentally that game where the AB’s won by +50, admittedly against the terrible Corne Krige) was by far and away the best I’ve ever seen AB’s …
Once again, and we must agree to disagree on this, the refs have got to play fair – not one set of rules for the Antipodeans and another for the Boks (and, last Sunday, France) … the British Press (particularly the Irish) were pretty flabbergasted by what they saw, and so was I – even the Aussie press are making a lot of noise – even old NZ heads are shaking …. four penalties in one ruck ingored by a supposedly world-class ref … Richie, as so frequently before in past seasons … in slow motion foraging away on his knees, knowing he’s bullet proof, Joubert pretending not to see that and the high tackles …. I’ve got to tell you mate, I am happy for the joy of your country and the thrill they must have had of winning that game, but we’ve got a big problem in this regard …
3 Nov 2011, 00:54 am
Gentlemen and ladies, Ted is the best that ever was. He’s an incredible coach, he was the first to formulate an international coaching triumvirate panel. No other head coach had that security in his abilities, Ted produced the greatest winning period over an extended period of any AB coach. He deserves a baronetcy!
3 Nov 2011, 01:38 am
@Skeppie(Skeppie)-53: Your words, pilgrim. Not mine.
3 Nov 2011, 02:34 am
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-28:
oi dude……… don’t generalise about Bok fans, you’ll just become another poppadoos!
3 Nov 2011, 02:55 am
@whatever(whatever)-64:
lol
sorry mate, quite easy to get mixed up in all of that as it happens on here so often.
3 Nov 2011, 03:53 am
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-61:
So you are saying Joubert a South African cheated to ensure NZ won and basically NZ only won the WC because refs cheated, our 85% recent winning record is mostly down to neutral refs all cheating as well? the story is getting a bit tall JB but you are free to believe whatever you want, I think at some point though you’re going to have to accept where Bokke rugby currently sits in world rugby.
3 Nov 2011, 03:55 am
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-35: BH…apart from the slu tty antics of one married to royalty, binge drinking and being fined for reckless behaviour I thought the Poms did quite well getting as far as they did..but look on the bright side..apart from being totally embarrassed again while out of their mummys sight they only have another four years to wait…for another embarrassment. Things just get better and better for your lot.
3 Nov 2011, 04:01 am
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-61: Cowpat…move on mate …four years is not that long to wait and no amount of sour grapes is going to change the fact where Bill is being polished at the moment……so hows the Boks trophy cabinet looking?
They have nothing to show at all for the year….Tri-Nations, Freedom Cup, Mandela
Plate, WC and you are blaming the ref for your loss???????????????????????
Maybe if the Boks had a record like us you could think you were hard done by, but the reality is the Boks never fronted anywhere all year so the blame lays squarely at their feet mate.
3 Nov 2011, 07:25 am
If only …. if only the Boks had a merit basis for coach selection … and whilst i am on that a merit basis selection for the team. Oh boy would the AB be in trouble.
It is always amusing to hear the NZ boys on here olay-laying their achievments when the boks have effectivly one hand tied behind their backs.
Can you imagine the ABs coached by PDV and Muir ????? They would be lucky to beat England.
Bitter I am but well done to GH he always came across as a dignified guy and gave credit to the oppo when it was due … unlike Reeche !!
SteveHansen or Gatland should get the job …
3 Nov 2011, 07:27 am
@captain fantail(captain fantail)-68: Look at the coach the politicians have insisted on you ******** and maybe you will understand the frustrations on a SA WEB SITE … !!
Will you guys never understand that Keo.co.ZA is a SA site !!!
3 Nov 2011, 07:31 am
@bananas(bananas)-69:
Jake White was a merit based selection and outside of the WC he was very average so whilst PDV was a quota coach there have been plenty in the last 20 years who haven’t been and failed
3 Nov 2011, 07:48 am
@captain fantail(captain fantail)-68: wow, what a great counter argument – “move on”. Another 4 years – is that the statute of limitations for corruption? You muppets turn a blind eye because it favours you – well, who knows maybe we would do the same….but its unlikely knowing our crooked political past and present (and future)
3 Nov 2011, 10:40 am
@captain fantail(captain fantail)-67: England have been in two the last three WC finals and will be hosting the next one. NZ had to wait 24 years to win another gift 1pt home WC and won’t be hosting again so you can bet your bottom kiwi dollar (what’s it worth anyway, 20p?) they won’t be winning again either.
A24Y fanny
3 Nov 2011, 12:40 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-66:
Look – All Blacks strongest point is they are the most consistent side in world rugby, always have been, always will be – I think I’ve seen them play “badly” twice in about 250 games; unbelievable consistency – the old adage: “There is no such thing as a bad All Blacks side, just some are better than others” is true.
Not only that their technical skills and rugby intelligence is higher than any other team – match that with their physicality, passionate team spirit and excellent coaching – of course, they are going to win.
No other side matches their consistency – certainly not the Boks and definitely not France. With that said when the Boks play their best game against your best game they will win more than they will lose – but they are not consistent, and administrators, weird politics and dumb-as-rocks coaches who pick the wrong combinations has a lot to do with it; but also so does the ******** temperament which goes up and down. France are proven and the most inconsistent of the lot, but when “they come to play” they are the best rugby team on the planet – that’s why you have to watch them all the time, because if you blink you’ll miss it. They proved that on Sunday. The Wallabies can play as well it has to be said, and have your psychological number (for whatever reason you guys let them in).
Point is the high success rate of the AB’s would happen anyway, as they are so superior to the other second-tier and 3rd-tier test nations; BUT it is exacerbated in recent years by the refereeing which is controlled by Paddy O’Brien behind the scenes – who has always hated South Africa. The 85% statistic does not negate what happened last Sunday – nor the fact that it was a SA ref – it was either corrupt or cowardly, or both – but FOUR penalty infringments in ONE ruck in a kickable position with 10 minutes to go – NOT CALLED – is wrong; all historical performance is irrelevant (though it has been going on for years – Richie coming through the SPRINGBOK GATE in the rucks and mauls in front of Rolland and just getting empty warnings is on youTube in slow motion). You might agree with the spin that he knows how to play the ref, but I don’t – sorry.
3 Nov 2011, 21:30 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-73:
Writing us of already.
Wow, good one. I am glad you are so proud of your team making 2 of the last 3 RWC finals, that really a greta feat……..phhhht.
By the time 2015 comes around, if the ABs are playing England it would be like brother fighting brother, you will have atleast 9 NZ players in the England team by then and a few Ozzies.
1 point margin is a win in my book, and a sour english fan like you is another victory, been a really good year.
3 Nov 2011, 21:37 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-75: this poaching thing is nonsense, in the first choice WC XV only Tuilagi was born overseas. Sure a few ex-kiwis are brought in to hold tackle bags now and again but part from fixing home WCs, what else are they good for?
3 Nov 2011, 21:41 pm
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-74:
” when the Boks play their best game against your best game they will win more than they will lose ”
Says you. At the moment we have no proof at all, in fact you may be surprised that the Boks are not as good as YOU think they are. Another fact is maybe the ABs are better.
” but FOUR penalty infringments in ONE ruck in a kickable position with 10 minutes to go – NOT CALLED – is wrong”
Where were you in 2007 when France went through a whole 2nd half being outplayed on there line for about 8 mins and slowing the ball down, hands in the ruck etc, they did it all and not one blow on the whistle.
Its amazing NOW everyone is up in arms about the reffing at the RWC but in 2007 it happened to the ABs and we were laughed at and called moaners.
Your complaint about the RWC refs are 4 years to late. In fact at the time barnes was called the best ref around by you all.
Until he reffed SA in Melbourne i think and you lost, then he was the worst ref around, amazing. Can you see a pattern here at all?
3 Nov 2011, 21:48 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-76:
OH so the poaching is nonsence now lol.
Over the last few years we have seen more overseas players in the England run on team.
Also funny is that you didnt go without a day on here about NZ poaching, my how its changed.
3 Nov 2011, 21:51 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-76:
OH and by the way the RWC is not the only rugby tournament.
You have also fallen into the trap of the RWC being the only thing to win.
We have it but unlike your team of 2003 and Bok of 2007 we are not going to think of the next one. It could be one of the first times where the RWC is held by the best team in the world after the RWC.
3 Nov 2011, 21:54 pm
@NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-71:
You need to open both eyes to see the whole picture.
3 Nov 2011, 22:07 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-79: you’re right the WC is not the only tournament we are the 6N Champions.
NZers often got caught up with the record after a WC was won by a team, probably because of the world champion tag, but the WC is actually more of an end as the team tends to evolve past the old greats who helped win it.
Even if NZ lose every game next year, they will still be world champions and nothing will change that and it won’t make them any less worthy.
3 Nov 2011, 22:10 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-81:
Bleat Panty used to think contrary to your opinion…I’m guessing he’ll have changed his chune now…
3 Nov 2011, 22:15 pm
@Big Hit(Big Hit)-81:
Well at least the saracens and leicester can say they beat the world champs as well.
Point is and what has been said on here, dont worry we have the RWC, normally said after a loss. I say the RWC is done and dusted. I any day of the week would rather be the worlds best than the world champions, of course being both is the pinnacle.
World champs = 6 week tournament every 4 years.
Worlds best = winning consistently against all teams.
3 Nov 2011, 22:25 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-83:
With this embarrassment tagged to duh Villiers name and there were still countless bloggers on keo punting him as a better coach than White.
White never let the Boks get beaten by a very average club team in his career as their coach. He also never lost a RWC game…not a one. What he did do though was lay a foundation for anyone following in his footsteps to take what he has started and win a Tri-nations and a B&I Lions series (not convincingly). If White had 8 years like Grumpy Henry things would have been different.
3 Nov 2011, 23:15 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-77:
Your argument is erroneous – show me the slow motion video – the whole of NZ went hysterical because of Barnes failure to call the marginal match-deciding forward pass; he missed hands in at the end true. But that was rank incompetence … his mistakes are nevertheless honest – he does them often – did you see the forward pass he missed in Wales v. Australia 3rd place play-off? Dusatoir and courageous French tackling won that game ….
No – this thing I’m talking about is different – consistently favouring the so-called strongest team – Richie and the boys are bullet-proof royal game – the only pattern here mate is the one you can see in this video clip – and you have no proof but here is my proof – Aussie international forwards coach for Scotland interviewed by former Irish international, i.e. no axe to grind against NZ – if you have the guts and integrity look at this – in the words of the commentator “SHAMEFUL”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XBqetaCfgo&feature=youtu.be
4 Nov 2011, 02:51 am
@bananas(bananas)-70: No doubting you guys have political problems at home with your pollies that impact on your team….but why vent on us?
4 Nov 2011, 02:57 am
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-85: Cowpat I watched your youtube ‘sensation’…so what?. How much time did you spend scrolling through vid’s to find something that is completely biased to NZ??
Grow up mate, why dont you post the all sh it that the boks have got up to…oh because they got knocked out and sent home early in their whimpy defense of their cup and their captain had a cry about it. Maybe you all need to take a page out Warburtons book and stand up like men and take it on the chin.
4 Nov 2011, 03:15 am
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-85:
lol you want to watch slow motion of a 40 minute second half?
And you You Tube clip was awesome, just reminded me on who the world champions are.
But what i saw was a few problems with there one eye.
They compared the offside by Reid, who went off side and then went back, did not get involved with the next play at all, where as the french went off side but did actually get invovled staright away.
Kainos incident where the ball was actaully of the ground, no ruck was really formed or neither did the ref call ruck, fair ball in my book.
But i liked the way they showed where the French eye gouged , were offside a number of times and played the ball on the ground.
Really fair way to show what NZ got away with only, and people like you roll in it.
4 Nov 2011, 03:25 am
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-85:
no mention of the samoa game where JPPetiersen was playing the ball on the ground in front of your posts?
4 Nov 2011, 12:29 pm
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-85:
Hurricane @Hurricane(Hurricane)-88: @man1a(man1a)-89:
Huricane man1a and @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-66:I’ll talk to because they argue the points – not convincingly, but they argue the points – Fantail you’re a close-minded juvenile who engages mouth before brain (if there is one) and ‘argues by insult’ , stay away from me
4 Nov 2011, 20:34 pm
@J.B. Cowper(J.B. Cowper)-90: Nothing to argue cowpat…you lost and your not handling it, so keep scrolling for more proof that the refs are only on the AB’s side. You might even see Henry giving P O’Brien the secret Free Masons handshake somewhere…;-)
as for arguing by insult its the only appropriate response to the infantile and biased little campaigns you seem get your jollies over launching on us.
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