Grand Slam vindicates Henry

Eurosport - Mon, 01 Dec 08:59:00 2008

The All Blacks' emphatic northern hemisphere Grand Slam has finally vindicated the controversial move to reappoint coach Graham Henry after last year's World Cup flop.

RUGBY 2008 - New Zealand All Blacks coach Graham Henry looks on during a training session at Sofia Gardens, Wales - 0

New Zealand's crushing 32-6 win over England at Twickenham on Saturday rounded off their second Home Nations sweep under Henry (pictured) in three years, and just the third in their history.

The All Blacks did not concede a single try against Scotland, Ireland, Wales or England, ending the year with a 13-2 record after successfully defending their Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup titles.

The performances have silenced loud criticism of the New Zealand Rugby Union's (NZRU) decision to retain Henry as coach despite the World Cup quarter-final loss to France in Cardiff last year, newspapers said.

"The Grand Slam was an emphatic vindication, not only of Graham Henry but of the men who decided to keep him on after the debacle at Cardiff in the World Cup last year," the New Zealand Herald commented in an editorial.

"It is to the NZRU's credit that they stuck to their guns -- and their man," it said.

"It would have been all too easy to bow to the considerable pressure despite the fact that there was plenty of evidence to justify the conclusion that the traditional approach of sacking the coach after every World Cup failure was wrong."

It seems likely that the All Blacks will remain at or near the top of world rugby until the next World Cup in 2011, the newspaper said, but warned Henry may then face a stiffer challenge.

"The trick will be to convert that ranking into the title of world champions," it said.

"If Graham Henry sticks around to make the attempt and succeeds, the redemption of the 'Great Redeemer' will be complete," it added, referring to Henry's title when he coached Wales.

Dominion Post rugby writer Jim Kayes also used the word "redemption" to describe the All Blacks' season.

"Having survived the fallout of last year's World Cup debacle, All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his team simply had to win, and win they have," Kayes said.

"At the start of the year, 'rugby' was a profanity only bettered, for some, by uttering "Graham" and "Henry" together in a sentence," Kayes said of some bitter All Blacks fans.

"That's changed, or at least it should have by now."

AFP

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  1. No sour grapes old chap. We don't claim that we­ lost because of food poisoning conspiracies. We do not­ lose and then still say we are the best in the world­ despite not having won anything for 21 years. We merely­ lament something that is well known and much talked­ about across the codes, i.e. New Zealand cynical play­ that sadly besmirches the prowess of All Black rugby.­ Problem is, New Zealand win and still no one likes­ them. I wonder why? I have great admiration for South­ Africa, for France, for Wales. I do not hate anyone but­ I dislike the All Blacks for their cynical play and­ hypocrisy and the Australians for their loudmouthed­ arrogance and cheating. As I say, no sour grapes.

    From John D, on Tue 2 Dec 10:08AM

  2. mmmm I recognise the taste of sour grapes.

    From fordellman, on Mon 1 Dec 9:33PM

  3. That is why I have never been a fan of New Zealand­ rugby. I know they are spectacular, fast and physical­ but they are equally loathesome and unsporting. As a­ great Irishmen once said, "What are a few fists­ between friends?", we all know that rugby can get­ bloody at times but it is more the underhand cynicism­ of the All Blacks and then their post-match­ gloating/whinging that takes the biscuit. I still­ remember that disgrace of a man Sean Fitzpatrick and­ the De Glanville incident, said character was quick­ enough to whinge with the Bok-biting-his-ear­ affair.
    Anyway, when that Great Scorer in the sky asks­ your name,
    He will not ask whether you won or lost,
    But­ did you... play the gamne.

    From John D, on Mon 1 Dec 12:03PM

  4. Well, they certainly know how to cheat better than­ northern hemisphere teams - that much is obvious. ­ Tackling off the ball, blocking, interfering with ruck­ ball, crossing, entering the ruck from the side,­ holding players into the ruck. All cynically done and­ obviously practised and honed. Add to that athletic­ and fitter players, faster ball and good hands and you­ have the reason that they are such a formidable team to­ beat.

    From Donald D, on Mon 1 Dec 11:11AM
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