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Predictably, Graham Henry was knighted earlier today in the New Zealand Honours List, after coaching the All Blacks to their nail-biting 8-7 RWC final victory over France at Eden Park, ending a painful 24-year drought.
Captain Richie McCaw knocked back a knighthood offered by New Zealand Prime Minister John Key – a shrewd move. The All Black skipper, 31 yesterday, has a few more good years left on the playing field.
Sir Graham becomes the first non-All Black, and fifth New Zealand rugby knight, in a country where the 15-man code isn’t a sport, it’s a religion.
He joins Sir Fred Allen (91), the only All Black back, who wore the famous jersey six times from 1946 to 1949, all as captain, and coached the All Blacks from 1966 to 1968, winning all 14 internationals.
Sir Wilson Whineray (76) was an All Black from 1957 to 1968 with 32 caps, 30 as captain.
Sir Colin Meads (75), an All Black from 1957 to 1971 with 55 caps, 11 as captain.
And Sir Brian Lochore (71), an All Black from 1964 to 1971 with 25 caps, 18 as captain, and coach from 1985 to 1987, capturing the inaugural RWC in his last year.
Sir Graham’s record as All Black coach is phenomenal. In 103 internationals over eight years, the All Blacks have won 88 for an 85.4% win ratio. At home it was 48 out of 51 – 94.1%, and away 35 from 45 – 77.8%.
Most other national coaches would rate a 77.8% win career stat as substantial. Not nearly good enough, nor acceptable, in the Shaky Isles.
The highly-successful RWC in New Zealand produced another high honour with the Organising Committee boss Martin Snedden awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, the CNZM, second only to knighthood in status.
The former Black Caps all-rounder, who played 25 Tests, and 93 ODIs, is a lawyer by profession but was CEO of New Zealand Cricket from 2001 to 2007 before he was appointed to the RWC job.
Snedden is now on the unemployed list as well, but there’s a warts and all book behind the scenes about the RWC to be written. No prisoners are expected to be taken.
In the British Isles and Ireland Queen’s New Years Honours List six sportsmen received recognition.
Former world formula one champion Nigel Mansell a CBE, as was Giles Clarke, the chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board.
A MBE to golfer Rory McIlroy who at 22 is among the youngest of all-time to be recognised, and certainly the youngest US Open champion for 88 years, winning by eight shots.
And a MBE to Colin Paterson, Scotland’s long-standing rugby full-back-goal kicker with 103 caps, and an OBE to the ever-popular Ulsterman Darren Clarke for his sensational win at the British Open.
The Australian Honours List will be released on Australia Day, January 26.
In the meantime, happy New Year Roarers.