First it was Richie McCaw, now Graham Henry is on the cusp of 100 Tests – as head coach, that is. With 99 matches at the helm of the All Blacks, Henry becomes New Zealand’s first coaching centurion when his team runs out against Canada on Sunday – possibly the first of any international rugby coach, for that matter.
The former headmaster is without a doubt New Zealand’s most successful All Blacks coach, boasting a remarkable 85 percent winning record.
Which is why following the epic Rugby World Cup fail of 2007, the powers-that-be did not consider it unjust to reappoint Henry for another term.
Much of the country disagreed – many vehemently – especially when the heir apparent, Canterbury’s son Robbie Deans, was cast off into the coaching wilderness. Good enough though for our trans-Tasman adversaries.
But back to Henry. It was a gutsy decision to stand for re-election in the aftermath of the 2007 stuff up. Four years on, much of the negative sentiment in the public domain has certainly shifted… for now.
The sad thing is, should the All Blacks by some sickly turn of events fail to restore the William Webb Ellis to its rightful place of abode, Graham Henry’s tenure will not be remembered for his extraordinary winning record but rather, just two profound losses – one in 2007 and one in 2011.
It would be an inordinate failure to do the business in the tournaments that matter above all else. And this time with home-ground advantage. Unforgivable.
And how ironic would it be if Robbie Deans’ Wallabies won the Webb?
Nah, it won’t happen.
Because on the strength of the All Blacks ‘Pool A’ hammering of our French nemesis – the reprobate responsible for New Zealand’s early exit in ’07 – coach Henry has done his homework and prepared his team according to requirements.
But we won’t know for another month or so whether New Zealand’s first XV is sufficiently drilled and skilled to deliver at the business end.
It is the one and only box as yet un-ticked in Graham Henry’s All Blacks bucket list.
Because God knows, if he doesn’t tick the box this time, it will be the bucket.
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