Results from the autopsy of New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup failure are in at last. The result? No heads will roll.

Henry defends All Blacks attitudes in Cardiff

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A 47-page independent review today found a range of decisions and actions in the 18 months leading up to the 2007 tournament contributed to New Zealand’s galling 20-18 quarter-final loss to France in Cardiff last October.

The corpse was exhumed in the form of a $NZ130,000 ($A110,000) review prepared by Auckland lawyer Mike Heron and Sparc (Sport and Recreation New Zealand) official Don Tricker.

It focused most critically on the “over emphasis” placed on the four-yearly tournament by the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) which had, in turn, erred by agreeing to coach Graham Henry’s controversial conditioning program.

That program was found to have impacted negatively on all levels of the game and on the very players it was designed to improve when they were removed from the first half of the Super 14.

In its most damning assessment, the review found that the players were left lacking in “quality game time” before they played France.

“The All Blacks were effectively in pre-season mode playing in a world-class competition with and against match-hardened players,” the report said.

“Their match fitness and skill levels were not at the required level … the contact component of the conditioning programme was too little too late – there was too much training completed against static opponents.”

NZRU chairman Jock Hobbs and Henry today agreed mistakes had been made, but nobody will pay the price for the All Blacks’ failure.

Henry was voted unanimously back into his job by the board in December, followed by most of his support staff.

Hobbs said the review had shown nothing to suggest Henry’s reappointment was premature.

“Graham was subject to a detailed performance review and then a contestable appointment process,” he said.

“He had to prove he was the best person for the job. He did.

“But I’m sure Graham has learned through this process. It’s not business as usual, there will be some changes.

“He and the All Blacks management will be better for it.”

Hobbs said “collectively we all are” accountable, with his board having approved the conditioning program.

Forty-one players, coaches, officials and stakeholders were interviewed as part of the review.

“It’s not about finding fault or a royal commission or a witch hunt,” Hobbs said.

“It is a review for learnings and improvement, clearly we made mistakes and we acknowledge that.

“We are very sorry we failed at Cardiff and the disappointment and frustration this has caused our supporters.”

Logistically it wasn’t possible to leave the All Blacks’ coaching position open until the review was completed, he added.

Henry accepted the report’s criticism of the conditioning program, particularly its impact on the whole of New Zealand rugby in 2007.

“I underestimated that impact, quite frankly,” Henry said.

“Obviously that’s a mistake – how it was implemented and when it was implemented.”

Other contributing factors to the Cardiff collapse were the All Blacks’ poor standard of opposition in Test matches earlier in the season and in World Cup pool play.

The review also found there were too many fulltime staff in All Blacks management, something the players had already voiced strong concern about.

Ita also found factors outside the team’s control were important, including the performance of English referee Wayne Barnes and his touch judges, which “had a significant adverse impact on the All Blacks”.

© AAP 2012

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