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.
Parisien
Guest
There's something depressing about Henry getting a knighthood. Is it because knighthoods still exist in this day and age, or because of his personality? The accompanying photo is rather disturbing too.
Misha
Guest
Poor old Loftus - There are more conspiracy theories from Bok suppoters than you can find in the X-Files - Manup
zhenry
Guest
Completely agree, its back to the future for NZ, just watch how far ‘back’ the NZRU goes. In a unique era where the world grapples with the hard realities of its economic system, carbon accumulation in the atmosphere, climate change and peak oil, NZ is saluting its hero’s with the imperial salutation of ‘Sir’. Well well.
Snobby Deans
Guest
onor - as much as we all love to see great rugby rewarded, it's the scoreline that counts. Main's 95 team lost in the final (though a close run thing, it's still a loss). Henry's team won the fina (again, a close run thing) Henry can't win no matter what he does with some people. He did it his way both times - one time it worked, the other time it didn't. He earned the role of All Black coach and won 88 of 103 with the ABs (85.4% win ratio). In many, many of those games, the All Blacks were ruthless - at times, utterly dominant (2nd test vs Lions in 05, as an example. Why should the fact that the final was a close game detract from that?
Snobby Deans
Guest
Loftus - back to the High Veldt, you poor loser. Perhaps if the Boks weren't so one-dimensional, they could have taken the overwhelming possession they had in the QF and actually done something with it.
Snobby Deans
Guest
Well said Sonny. I don't recall anyone casting aspersions on other teams because of slender winning margins, yet it's something that comes up when the All Blacks are mentioned. It seems that wheneve the All Blacks are concerned, it's never enough (especially for fans of other teams that now have one less taunt to throw at the AB's) And Katipo - as for the last part of your post. If you actually read the article, you'll note that it does refer to Sir Fred Allen.
allblackfan
Guest
graham henry helped deliver the RWC to a country still reeling from earthquakes (50 in one day in CChurch last Thursday!). If I met him McCaw (who turned a knighthood down) or any of the RWC ABs, I WILL call them sir!! But that's just me!:-)
mattamkII
Guest
I always thought sporting knighthoods went to those who changed the game for the better while doing shed loads for grassroots etc etc...much more touchie feelie than ''oh he won lots of games and got a world cup''... anyway, does it really mean anything?
mace 22
Guest
It was sweet to win the cup last year, that tournament is over.This is a new year. Can't wait for all the rugby this year, and for the all blacks to win the the championship cup or what ever it's called. GO THE MIGHTY BLACKS.
Tui
Guest
Henry is the best coach of all time. He has won every trophy available and over 8 years held an 85% winning rate which is incredible. What more can he possibly do.
onor
Guest
hey guys.. yea.. henry is a good coach.. I just dont think he deserves a knighthood.. for what? 8 years is pretty nifty.. I just dont like how he went about it.. stacking the team with his mates.. look at how much talent we have.. and we get stuck with the old boys.. i just hope hansen goes down the same path..
Scotty
Guest
I agree with OJ - Henry has done the business give him the credit. The manner of the winning matters not one little bit; in the final only winning counts. NZ now join SA and Aus in the 2 times winners club and it must be sweet to be an NZ rugby fan in 2012.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
You obviously didn't live through the Laurie Mains era.
Johnno
Guest
Yes he did you are right here is the All black 95 World cup final team New Zealand FB 15 Glen Osborne RW 14 Jeff Wilson OC 13 Frank Bunce IC 12 Walter Little LW 11 Jonah Lomu FH 10 Andrew Mehrtens SH 9 Graeme Bachop N8 8 Zinzan Brooke OF 7 Josh Kronfeld BF 6 Mike Brewer RL 5 Robin Brooke LL 4 Ian Jones TP 3 Olo Brown HK 2 Sean Fitzpatrick (c) LP 1 Craig Dowd Replacements: WG 16 Marc Ellis FH 17 Simon Culhane SH 18 Ant Strachan CE 19 Jamie Joseph PR 20 Richard Loe HK 21 Norm Hewitt Coach: Laurie Mains
WQ
Guest
The Wanganui Winger certainly did start the 95 final!
Riccardo
Guest
Man up Loftus
Atawhai Drive
Roar Guru
If that's the real Keith Quinn, living legend of NZ rugby commentary and journalism, then it's great to see you make an appearance on The Roar (it may not be your first, but it's the first I've noticed). Are you backing up with NZ Rugby News again this year?
kiwidave
Guest
Pretty sure Osborne started that final actually, but otherwise a fair point.
Johnno
Guest
That 1995 team the All Blacks had had so much depth when you think of the players who either defected to rugby league, or couldn't make the starting team. Some star players you mention. John Timu John gallagher matt Ridge Daryl Halligan Craig Inness (was rated just about the best or the most promising centre in world rugby when he left, and still they had Bunce and little as options in the centres) Inga Tuigamala (Jonah Lomu may not of gone to rugby world cup 95 if Tuigamala didn't go to wigan rugby league team, Inga was a superstar in rugby league in mid 90's) Botica And quality players like Glen Osborne could not make the starting team
Seiran
Guest
Boohoo Loftus. Boohoo