Former All Blacks captain Jock Hobbs presented Richie McCaw with a special cap to mark his 100th appearance
AUCKLAND, 24 Sept. - New Zealand captain Richie McCaw hailed his team's performance after the All Blacks swept to a 37-17 victory over France at Eden Park on Saturday.
Tries from number 8 Adam Thomson and wing Cory Jane put the All Blacks in control before full back Israel Dagg struck either side of half-time.
The French hit back through Maxime Mermoz and Francois Trinh-Duc but the Kiwis confirmed their superiority with a fifth try from Sonny Bill Williams.
McCaw - who was awarded a special cap to mark his 100th international appearance - said: "We realised we had to take a step up this week.
"We had to absorb a fair bit early on and I was proud of the way the boys did that. When we got the opportunity we put the points on the board.
"The boys held their cool and when we had a chance we took it. I'm very happy with the way things went."
Thrilling burst
Fly half Morgan Parra saw a drop kick crash off an upright after three minutes as France pinned the All Blacks back in the early stages.
But New Zealand weathered the storm and went ahead in the ninth minute when Thomson got on the end of a move inspired by a Ma'a Nonu burst and sidestep to touch down at the corner. Fly half Dan Carter missed the conversion.
Jane extended the lead after 17 minutes when he took a superb pass from Piri Weepu to scythe through the French rearguard for try No.2. This time Carter made no mistake with his kick.
Les Bleus were in disarray four minutes later when Dagg took Carter's pass in acres of space and crossed under the posts to make it 17-0. Carter again added the extras.
New Zealand replaced Jane with Williams after 34 minutes.
Stunning drop goal
France got on the scoresheet with a penalty from Dimitri Yachvili as half-time approached.
Dagg scored his second try within a minute of the restart after a sweeping move. Carter landed his third conversion of the evening to put the All Blacks 26-3 in front.
The fly half made it four kicks from five attempts when he sent over a long-range penalty.
France hit back when centre Mermoz intercepted a Carter pass to race home. Yachvili's conversion took his side's points tally into double figures.
But Carter banged another stunning drop goal through the posts to take him to 109 points for the tournament.
Replacement Trinh-Duc scored a second try for the French in the 75th minute only to see Williams race through to dive over at the other end almost immediately.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Lucky 13 for All Blacks against Japan
DAVID LONG Last updated 21:54 16/09/2011
The 13-try, 83-7 rout did little to enhance the reputation of rugby as a global sport and for most of the game the only thing left to ponder was how close the All Blacks would get to reaching triple figures going into the pool clash with France on Saturday next week.
Having had to play France and New Zealand first up, the World Cup truly starts for Japan tomorrow when they can turn their attentions to winnable games against Tonga and Canada.
Those are the two games that will define Japan's tournament, not a hiding like this.
It's easy to understand John Kirwan's logic in selecting a B-team for this game and keeping his best players ready for the latter matches, but it did turn their clash with the All Blacks into a one-sided farce.
It took just three minutes for the onslaught to begin, with Conrad Smith scoring his 21st try in his 50th test, making best use of a break from Victor Vito.
Try second came in the 15th minute, with Richard Kahui going in on the right wing after most of the Japanese defence was sucked in trying to halt a rapidly-moving rolling maul on the right.
Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Andy Ellis and Colin Slade all scored tries later in the half as the game became anything but a contest.
Sonny Bill Williams came on for Cory Jane early in the second-half and went onto the wing.
Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams (twice), Isaia Toeava, Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu and Adam Thomson all scored second half tries for the All Blacks while wing Hirotoki Onozawa was able to pick up a try to at least stop Japan being completely embarrassed.
Result:
New Zealand 83 (Richard Kahui 2, Sonny Bill Williams 2, Conrad Smith, Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Isaia Toeava, Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu, Adam Thomson tries; Colin Slade 9 con) Japan 7 (Hirotoki Onozawa try; Murray Williams con). HT: 38-0.
The 13-try, 83-7 rout did little to enhance the reputation of rugby as a global sport and for most of the game the only thing left to ponder was how close the All Blacks would get to reaching triple figures going into the pool clash with France on Saturday next week.
Having had to play France and New Zealand first up, the World Cup truly starts for Japan tomorrow when they can turn their attentions to winnable games against Tonga and Canada.
Those are the two games that will define Japan's tournament, not a hiding like this.
It's easy to understand John Kirwan's logic in selecting a B-team for this game and keeping his best players ready for the latter matches, but it did turn their clash with the All Blacks into a one-sided farce.
It took just three minutes for the onslaught to begin, with Conrad Smith scoring his 21st try in his 50th test, making best use of a break from Victor Vito.
Try second came in the 15th minute, with Richard Kahui going in on the right wing after most of the Japanese defence was sucked in trying to halt a rapidly-moving rolling maul on the right.
Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Andy Ellis and Colin Slade all scored tries later in the half as the game became anything but a contest.
Sonny Bill Williams came on for Cory Jane early in the second-half and went onto the wing.
Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams (twice), Isaia Toeava, Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu and Adam Thomson all scored second half tries for the All Blacks while wing Hirotoki Onozawa was able to pick up a try to at least stop Japan being completely embarrassed.
Result:
New Zealand 83 (Richard Kahui 2, Sonny Bill Williams 2, Conrad Smith, Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu, Andy Ellis, Colin Slade, Isaia Toeava, Andrew Hore, Ma'a Nonu, Adam Thomson tries; Colin Slade 9 con) Japan 7 (Hirotoki Onozawa try; Murray Williams con). HT: 38-0.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Richard Kahui shines in mixed ABs opening
DUNCAN JOHNSTONE Last updated 22:33 09/09/2011SharePrint Text Size This content requires the Flash Player. Download Flash Player. Already have Flash Player? Click here.
New Zealand41
Tries: Israel Dagg (2), Richard Kahui (2), Jerome Kaino (1), Ma'a Nonu (1)
Conversions: Daniel Carter (3), Colin Slade (1)
Penalty goals: Daniel Carter (1)
Tonga10
Tries: Alisona Taumalolo (1)
Conversions: Kurt Morath (1)
Penalty goals: Kurt Morath (1)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Error: Cannot find match file.
Played at 8.30PM NZT
New Zealand out-manoeuvred the islanders with six tries on a glorious night, attempting to provide a spectacle of running rugby that has become their signature.
It wasn't always perfect. There was a sloppy second half where several opportunities went begging. They even conceded a try as Tonga bravely battled back.
And whether this New Zealand approach survives sterner tests remains to be seen in this seventh edition of the global event. But for an opening match, it certainly added to the festival feel the city had enjoyed all day long.
This was always going to be a New Zealand win. It was just a question of how big? In the end it probably wasn't big enough for everyone in the crowd of 60,214 jammed into the ground.
But the All Blacks will be quietly happy with this start. They will realise the limitations of the opposition but also be chuffed with the way some of the players clearly on trial stood up. They seemed to get some answers in areas they wanted solutions most.
The classy Kahui was probably top of that queue as Graham Henry looks for the right mix of his back three.
Kahui looked very comfortable playing out of position from his normal centre's role. He roamed dangerously all night, scored two tries and had a hand in two others. He mixed his deceptive running with some real power that might just be the formula the selectors are looking for in their wings.
On the other wing Isaia Toeava overcame a tentative start to contribute to the free-running affair for his 61 minutes of action while Israel Dagg chimed in from all over the paddock.
And the muscular midfield worked a treat, clearly giving the All Blacks options there.
Sonny Bill Williams enjoyed a bit of freedom and his trademark offloads freed up plenty of play for those alongside him.
The All Blacks handled the infamous Tongan physicality and in imposed their own power game on the men in red up front. Jerome Kaino was outstanding with his buckling defence and direct approach with the ball in hand.
And stand-in No 8 Victor Vito certainly didn't take a backward step which will have pleased the coaching staff given the strain on the back row resources at the moment.
We wait to see what the rest of the squad do in next Friday's second pool match against Japan for there are certain to be a raft of changes for that lightweight challenge.
But the marker has been laid down in some of the key areas to be sorted out over the opening phase of the tournament.
As for Tonga, they were largely disappointing with their lack of attack. The prospect of a fiery start never emerged. In fact they rarely fired a shot apart from a spell of forward exchanges on the All Blacks line in the second half.
Ad Feedback Yes, they stalled the All Blacks with a plucky third quarter and then had their say with a try to replacement prop Alisona Taumalolo to reward some better forward effort.
But unless Tonga can step things up they will be in danger against Canada, possibly even against Japan and most certainly against France.
When Irish referee George Clancy blew the opening whistle to start this seventh World Cup there was an almost eerie silence over the ground, in contrast to the buzz of excitement that enveloped the stadium during a marvellous opening ceremony.
Ali Williams rose to take a clean catch and the All Blacks' campaign was finally under way.
It didn't take long for the points to start mounting.
In the fourth minute Tonga were penalised at the breakdown and Dan Carter kicked the first points of the tournament with a simple 18m goal.
Ten minutes and 38 seconds into the match Israel Dagg had the first try, benefitting from some slick work from Richard Kahui who featured twice in the buildup coming off his right wing.
Kahui had his turn soon after as Williams produced a thrilling backhanded offload to Isaia Toeava and there was Kahui popping up on his opposite wing again and producing a delightful sidestep to dance over.
Toeava and Williams helped Dagg to his second try off a turnover courtesy of a turnover engineered by Andrew Hore.
Kahui showed his sheer grunt to get over for his second when he was given a bit of space by Dagg.
The Tongans finally got on the board with the last act of the half when Kurt Morath landed a 40m penalty.
The All Blacks made a bit of a sloppy start to the second spell but a slick pass from Ma'a Nonu gave Toeava a direct route to the corner. But his touchdown was blotted by a boot in touch according to the TMO.
Kaino made no mistake to cap his night with a deserved try off a chip and regather from Kahui.
Tonga had their best period of the match as they camped right on the New Zealand line and after a series of scrums and rucks, replacement prop Alisona Taumalolo eventually burrowed his way over.
The All Blacks had the final say with Nonu starting and finishing a 50m try that sent the big crowd off a bit happier.
There's work to be done. But the All Blacks are off the mark and the tournament is under way.
New Zealand 41 (Israel Dagg 2, Richard Kahui 2, Jerome Kaino, Ma'a Nonu tries; Dan Carter 3 con, pen; Colin Slade con.) Tonga 10 (Alisona Taumalolo try, Kurt Morath con, pen). HT: 29-3
New Zealand41
Tries: Israel Dagg (2), Richard Kahui (2), Jerome Kaino (1), Ma'a Nonu (1)
Conversions: Daniel Carter (3), Colin Slade (1)
Penalty goals: Daniel Carter (1)
Tonga10
Tries: Alisona Taumalolo (1)
Conversions: Kurt Morath (1)
Penalty goals: Kurt Morath (1)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Error: Cannot find match file.
Played at 8.30PM NZT
New Zealand out-manoeuvred the islanders with six tries on a glorious night, attempting to provide a spectacle of running rugby that has become their signature.
It wasn't always perfect. There was a sloppy second half where several opportunities went begging. They even conceded a try as Tonga bravely battled back.
And whether this New Zealand approach survives sterner tests remains to be seen in this seventh edition of the global event. But for an opening match, it certainly added to the festival feel the city had enjoyed all day long.
This was always going to be a New Zealand win. It was just a question of how big? In the end it probably wasn't big enough for everyone in the crowd of 60,214 jammed into the ground.
But the All Blacks will be quietly happy with this start. They will realise the limitations of the opposition but also be chuffed with the way some of the players clearly on trial stood up. They seemed to get some answers in areas they wanted solutions most.
The classy Kahui was probably top of that queue as Graham Henry looks for the right mix of his back three.
Kahui looked very comfortable playing out of position from his normal centre's role. He roamed dangerously all night, scored two tries and had a hand in two others. He mixed his deceptive running with some real power that might just be the formula the selectors are looking for in their wings.
On the other wing Isaia Toeava overcame a tentative start to contribute to the free-running affair for his 61 minutes of action while Israel Dagg chimed in from all over the paddock.
And the muscular midfield worked a treat, clearly giving the All Blacks options there.
Sonny Bill Williams enjoyed a bit of freedom and his trademark offloads freed up plenty of play for those alongside him.
The All Blacks handled the infamous Tongan physicality and in imposed their own power game on the men in red up front. Jerome Kaino was outstanding with his buckling defence and direct approach with the ball in hand.
And stand-in No 8 Victor Vito certainly didn't take a backward step which will have pleased the coaching staff given the strain on the back row resources at the moment.
We wait to see what the rest of the squad do in next Friday's second pool match against Japan for there are certain to be a raft of changes for that lightweight challenge.
But the marker has been laid down in some of the key areas to be sorted out over the opening phase of the tournament.
As for Tonga, they were largely disappointing with their lack of attack. The prospect of a fiery start never emerged. In fact they rarely fired a shot apart from a spell of forward exchanges on the All Blacks line in the second half.
Ad Feedback Yes, they stalled the All Blacks with a plucky third quarter and then had their say with a try to replacement prop Alisona Taumalolo to reward some better forward effort.
But unless Tonga can step things up they will be in danger against Canada, possibly even against Japan and most certainly against France.
When Irish referee George Clancy blew the opening whistle to start this seventh World Cup there was an almost eerie silence over the ground, in contrast to the buzz of excitement that enveloped the stadium during a marvellous opening ceremony.
Ali Williams rose to take a clean catch and the All Blacks' campaign was finally under way.
It didn't take long for the points to start mounting.
In the fourth minute Tonga were penalised at the breakdown and Dan Carter kicked the first points of the tournament with a simple 18m goal.
Ten minutes and 38 seconds into the match Israel Dagg had the first try, benefitting from some slick work from Richard Kahui who featured twice in the buildup coming off his right wing.
Kahui had his turn soon after as Williams produced a thrilling backhanded offload to Isaia Toeava and there was Kahui popping up on his opposite wing again and producing a delightful sidestep to dance over.
Toeava and Williams helped Dagg to his second try off a turnover courtesy of a turnover engineered by Andrew Hore.
Kahui showed his sheer grunt to get over for his second when he was given a bit of space by Dagg.
The Tongans finally got on the board with the last act of the half when Kurt Morath landed a 40m penalty.
The All Blacks made a bit of a sloppy start to the second spell but a slick pass from Ma'a Nonu gave Toeava a direct route to the corner. But his touchdown was blotted by a boot in touch according to the TMO.
Kaino made no mistake to cap his night with a deserved try off a chip and regather from Kahui.
Tonga had their best period of the match as they camped right on the New Zealand line and after a series of scrums and rucks, replacement prop Alisona Taumalolo eventually burrowed his way over.
The All Blacks had the final say with Nonu starting and finishing a 50m try that sent the big crowd off a bit happier.
There's work to be done. But the All Blacks are off the mark and the tournament is under way.
New Zealand 41 (Israel Dagg 2, Richard Kahui 2, Jerome Kaino, Ma'a Nonu tries; Dan Carter 3 con, pen; Colin Slade con.) Tonga 10 (Alisona Taumalolo try, Kurt Morath con, pen). HT: 29-3
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Big names miss New Zealand World Cup squad
August 23, 2011 - 12:46PM
Sitiveni Sivivatu has missed the cut. Photo: Getty Images
The All Blacks 30-man squad to contest the Rugby World Cup was unveiled today by coach Graham Henry.
Captained by Richie McCaw at his third World Cup, the squad features a 16-forward, 14-back split.
The contentious winger positions have been won by Zac Guildford, Cory Jane and Isaia Toeava, leaving no room for Hosea Gear and Sitiveni Sivivatu.
The most notable inclusion in the forwards is Wellington loose forward Victor Vito, who is selected ahead of Waikato's Liam Messam.
John Afoa is the fourth prop, selected ahead of Wyatt Crockett while Anthony Boric - who has been sidelined for two months with injury - wins the fourth locking spot ahead of Jarrad Hoeata.
McCaw, first five-eighth Dan Carter, hooker Keven Mealamu, fullback Mils Muliaina and lock Ali Williams will take part in their third consecutive tournament.
Seven players will contest their second tournament - hooker Corey Flynn, midfielder Ma'a Nonu and lock Brad Thorn played in the 2003 campaign; while prop Tony Woodcock, halfback Andy Ellis, centre Conrad Smith and outside back Isaia Toeava played in Rugby World Cup 2007.
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said he was pleased with the strength of his squad.
"Firstly, I would like to congratulate all those players selected. It's an incredibly exciting time for the team and a unique opportunity to represent New Zealand at home. The players will be facing the ultimate rugby challenge - playing for the most coveted trophy in world rugby, the Rugby World Cup," he said.
"At the same time I want to pay tribute to those players who have missed out on selection. It was an incredibly difficult process; all the players who missed selection are not only outstanding players but special people. We are close as a group which made this selection all the more difficult."
Henry said the side had "generally" been picked on form.
"We believe there is a good balance; a blend of experienced All Blacks -with nine players who have played more than 50 Tests - while at the other end of the scale we have seven players who have played fewer than a dozen tests who bring youthful enthusiasm to the side.
"There is also a balance in the fact that we have players who are specialists in their position while others have utility value and can cover a number of positions, so we have the players to cover any possibilities which may be thrown up during the tournament."
The All Blacks squad is in Brisbane preparing for the final match of the Tri Nations against Australia on Saturday.
Squad:
Backs: Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava, Corey Jane, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Dan Carter, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis
Forwards: Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Richie McCaw (capt), Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Anthony Boric, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Ben Franks, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Corey Flynn
Sitiveni Sivivatu has missed the cut. Photo: Getty Images
The All Blacks 30-man squad to contest the Rugby World Cup was unveiled today by coach Graham Henry.
Captained by Richie McCaw at his third World Cup, the squad features a 16-forward, 14-back split.
The contentious winger positions have been won by Zac Guildford, Cory Jane and Isaia Toeava, leaving no room for Hosea Gear and Sitiveni Sivivatu.
The most notable inclusion in the forwards is Wellington loose forward Victor Vito, who is selected ahead of Waikato's Liam Messam.
John Afoa is the fourth prop, selected ahead of Wyatt Crockett while Anthony Boric - who has been sidelined for two months with injury - wins the fourth locking spot ahead of Jarrad Hoeata.
McCaw, first five-eighth Dan Carter, hooker Keven Mealamu, fullback Mils Muliaina and lock Ali Williams will take part in their third consecutive tournament.
Seven players will contest their second tournament - hooker Corey Flynn, midfielder Ma'a Nonu and lock Brad Thorn played in the 2003 campaign; while prop Tony Woodcock, halfback Andy Ellis, centre Conrad Smith and outside back Isaia Toeava played in Rugby World Cup 2007.
All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said he was pleased with the strength of his squad.
"Firstly, I would like to congratulate all those players selected. It's an incredibly exciting time for the team and a unique opportunity to represent New Zealand at home. The players will be facing the ultimate rugby challenge - playing for the most coveted trophy in world rugby, the Rugby World Cup," he said.
"At the same time I want to pay tribute to those players who have missed out on selection. It was an incredibly difficult process; all the players who missed selection are not only outstanding players but special people. We are close as a group which made this selection all the more difficult."
Henry said the side had "generally" been picked on form.
"We believe there is a good balance; a blend of experienced All Blacks -with nine players who have played more than 50 Tests - while at the other end of the scale we have seven players who have played fewer than a dozen tests who bring youthful enthusiasm to the side.
"There is also a balance in the fact that we have players who are specialists in their position while others have utility value and can cover a number of positions, so we have the players to cover any possibilities which may be thrown up during the tournament."
The All Blacks squad is in Brisbane preparing for the final match of the Tri Nations against Australia on Saturday.
Squad:
Backs: Mils Muliaina, Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava, Corey Jane, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Dan Carter, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis
Forwards: Kieran Read, Victor Vito, Richie McCaw (capt), Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Sam Whitelock, Anthony Boric, Owen Franks, John Afoa, Ben Franks, Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Andrew Hore, Corey Flynn
Monday, August 15, 2011
'Great Redeemer' Henry seeking redemption
MARC HINTON Last updated 08:30 14/08/2011
JASON OXENHAM/Fairfax Media
DRY AS A DEAD DINGO: All Blacks coach Graham Henry is looking to make amends big-time at the 2011 RWC
All Blacks coach Graham Henry opens up to Marc Hinton on the agony of 2007, how it changed him as a coach and why he's better prepared to deliver the holy grail this time around.
Sometimes with the All Blacks coach it's hard to chip past the veneer of the old headmaster who often meets queries of a more reflective nature with a mix of indifference, humour and hubris. And then sometimes you strike gold with Graham Henry and he gives you a peek inside his intriguing mind.
It's fair to say it was the latter Henry who sat down with the Sunday Star-Times in a rare moment of introspection in the leadup to the Rugby World Cup. Yes, he bared some of that old soul of his and the result was a compelling narrative from a coach who may have an unparalleled record in the professional era, but really is just one of us. He hurts, he bleeds, he even sheds a tear or two.
Henry may be close to the most misunderstood man in New Zealand. A lot of people simply don't get his sense of humour. Sometimes it's so dry that if you waved a match in its direction it would burst into flames. Often people mistake his comedy for arrogance. Sure, like us all, he has an ego lurking within, but for the most part this is a fellow who can laugh at himself – and often does.
He's also incredibly busy (he often rises at 4.30am), not the most organised man in the world and now he's reached pensioner status (four grandkids, one more on the way), er, certain facts don't lodge in his mind as well as they might have in his younger days. Whenever you chat with him now you need to be ready to jump in with a name or fact as he negotiates the haze of his recall.
But this is no old fool. Far from it. His mind remains sharp for the stuff that counts. He knows his rugby, and more importantly knows his rugby players. He has a feel for what works and what doesn't work with the modern footballer, honed on having coached 133 test matches.
It's a well of knowledge that no other coach in world rugby can call upon. And it could just be the difference between the All Blacks ending an agonising 24-year wait for Rugby World Cup glory this September and October in our own backyard. Of course Henry has already had one shot at the damn thing, failing abysmally when his All Blacks tumbled out in that Cardiff quarter-final. Most, including Henry himself, presumed that earliest ever RWC exit would be the end of his time with this team.
But in their wisdom the New Zealand Rugby Union – where Henry has some fairly staunch allies – decided to give him another chance. To ignore the claims of people's champion Robbie Deans and for the first time reappoint a failed world cup coach.
That's as good a place as any to start with Henry now. What made him want to stand again? What were his driving forces for an unprecedented second term?
"There's no doubt I wouldn't be sitting here if we'd won the Rugby World Cup in 2007," he says. "The reason I re-stood was because I didn't want to run away. In my position you put a lot of pressure on people to perform, particularly the young people who play. You expect them to show a lot of backbone and do the business.
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"When we got beaten in the world cup [quarter-final] I could have run away, but I fronted because I thought that was the right thing to do."
You wonder if that took some guts, given the general post-world cup unease.
Henry shrugs off suggestions it was a brave move. Just a necessary one. "I didn't think for a minute I'd get reappointed," he confides. "When I had the interview [wife] Raewyn had come down to Wellington with me and I came back to the hotel after and said `it's all over'. It was a surprise to me."
CARDIFF IS a permanent scar on the Henry psyche. He admits as much as he harks back to that fateful evening in the principality he once ruled like a king.
"It always stays with you, and rightly so. It was massive. The first thing you feel is how to handle this as best you can for the people involved. I think we handled it bloody well. We didn't make any excuses, we took it on the chin and got on with life. That was very important for the young guys involved.
"Obviously it hurt, and still hurts. It was a difficult situation but I'm proud of the way we handled it as a group."
The next question is just how much does that 2007 failure fuel Henry now, especially with potential redemption finally at hand?
He makes one thing clear first: every All Blacks test carries its own pressure. Every one offers the chance to add to a rich legacy. "Winning a Rugby World Cup is not part of our legacy and that hurts. So it's part of your motivation. But every time the All Blacks put on that black jersey it's bloody important. It's not about revenge; it's about doing the business. But those things that happened in the past fuel you."
Like most New Zealand rugby coaches, Henry remembers the defeats more than the wins. So even though he has as incredible 86.2% success rate with the All Blacks (81 of 94 tests), and he's swept the Lions, won three Grand Slams and the Tri Nations five times in seven tilts, it's moments like Cardiff or the Boks sweep of '09 or, even further back, the agonising 1-2 series loss to the Wallabies with the Lions that lodge in the craw. "You remember those times because they hurt and they're very big learning experiences. That's probably natural," he says. Not coincidentally the theme, if you like, of this year's campaign is around learning from the mistakes of the past.
But here's where it gets interesting. Henry wouldn't swap the massive expectation the All Blacks face from their public for anything.
"It's inspirational," he says. "I don't think the All Blacks would be the world's winningest team in any sport, which is correct by a considerable margin, if we didn't have that expectation. So although it adds pressure, it's great pressure. I don't think we as New Zealanders actually appreciate what this team has done. I'm not talking about in my time, I'm talking about over 110 years. It's phenomenal."
HENRY BLAMES the media for this. And he gives me a bit of a glare to reinforce that. Clearly he feels we all take the All Blacks' unrivalled record a bit for granted.
"I don't think the expectation is a negative. It's a real positive. We wouldn't achieve what we do without the public having that expectation."
Henry, with the help of his capable assistants, is succeeding at getting his messages through to the players. They've won 22 of their last 23 tests, for goodness sake. He reckons the key is assembling the right intelligence – "if you've got no information to get across you're wasting your bloody time" – and then applying it sensibly.
He breaks the game-plan down into a two-part equation. Around 75% is constant things such as scrums, lineouts, restarts. Then there's 25% which he calls "the improvement area" and which can make the All Blacks the best in the world.
"That's my job," he explains. "I bring the 25% and the players then throw that out what they don't need and they finish up with 12.5%. That's fine. That's the process.
"The first step is getting the new ideas, the second getting the alignment and the third is making that a viable part of your game. To be viable it has to be simple because when you're running round at 100 miles an hour and making decisions the simpler the better."
Henry relates a funny story at corporate functions. It involves his old skipper Tana Umaga querying him about why he gave team talks close to games. Henry hoped they might be "helpful".
Umaga disabused him of that notion. "I was depressed for a week after that," says the coach with a grin.
So the red-faced, clipboard-thruster in the ads is just a work of fiction? Overplayed, says Henry.
"In the amateur days when there was a bank teller and a farmer and a builder and you brought them together for two training runs and a game the coach's influence was as a button pusher today you're living together for a week, and they get motivated by the environment and the collective challenge to do something special. The old bash on the changing-room walls to do the business is well gone."
That's Henry for you. Old school meets modern times.
MASTER AND COMMANDER
Graham Henry's test coaching recor:
Wales 1998-2002
Played 36 won 22, lost 13, drew 1
Winning percentage 61.1%
British & Irish Lions 2001
Played 3 won 1, lost 2
Winning percentage 33.3%
All Blacks 2004-11
Played 94 won 81, lost 13
Winning percentage 86.2%
Where Henry sits in All Blacks history:
Best coaching records since 1949 (with win ratio)
Fred Allen 1966-68 14 tests, 14 wins 100%
Graham Henry 2004-11 94 tests, 81 wins 86.2%
Alex Wyllie 1988-91 29 tests, 25 wins 86.2%
John Mitchell 2001-03 28 tests, 23 wins, 1 draw 82.1%
Neil McPhail 1961-65 20 tests, 16 wins, 2 draws 80%
Brian Lochore 1985-87 18 tests, 14 wins, 1 draw 77.7%
JASON OXENHAM/Fairfax Media
DRY AS A DEAD DINGO: All Blacks coach Graham Henry is looking to make amends big-time at the 2011 RWC
All Blacks coach Graham Henry opens up to Marc Hinton on the agony of 2007, how it changed him as a coach and why he's better prepared to deliver the holy grail this time around.
Sometimes with the All Blacks coach it's hard to chip past the veneer of the old headmaster who often meets queries of a more reflective nature with a mix of indifference, humour and hubris. And then sometimes you strike gold with Graham Henry and he gives you a peek inside his intriguing mind.
It's fair to say it was the latter Henry who sat down with the Sunday Star-Times in a rare moment of introspection in the leadup to the Rugby World Cup. Yes, he bared some of that old soul of his and the result was a compelling narrative from a coach who may have an unparalleled record in the professional era, but really is just one of us. He hurts, he bleeds, he even sheds a tear or two.
Henry may be close to the most misunderstood man in New Zealand. A lot of people simply don't get his sense of humour. Sometimes it's so dry that if you waved a match in its direction it would burst into flames. Often people mistake his comedy for arrogance. Sure, like us all, he has an ego lurking within, but for the most part this is a fellow who can laugh at himself – and often does.
He's also incredibly busy (he often rises at 4.30am), not the most organised man in the world and now he's reached pensioner status (four grandkids, one more on the way), er, certain facts don't lodge in his mind as well as they might have in his younger days. Whenever you chat with him now you need to be ready to jump in with a name or fact as he negotiates the haze of his recall.
But this is no old fool. Far from it. His mind remains sharp for the stuff that counts. He knows his rugby, and more importantly knows his rugby players. He has a feel for what works and what doesn't work with the modern footballer, honed on having coached 133 test matches.
It's a well of knowledge that no other coach in world rugby can call upon. And it could just be the difference between the All Blacks ending an agonising 24-year wait for Rugby World Cup glory this September and October in our own backyard. Of course Henry has already had one shot at the damn thing, failing abysmally when his All Blacks tumbled out in that Cardiff quarter-final. Most, including Henry himself, presumed that earliest ever RWC exit would be the end of his time with this team.
But in their wisdom the New Zealand Rugby Union – where Henry has some fairly staunch allies – decided to give him another chance. To ignore the claims of people's champion Robbie Deans and for the first time reappoint a failed world cup coach.
That's as good a place as any to start with Henry now. What made him want to stand again? What were his driving forces for an unprecedented second term?
"There's no doubt I wouldn't be sitting here if we'd won the Rugby World Cup in 2007," he says. "The reason I re-stood was because I didn't want to run away. In my position you put a lot of pressure on people to perform, particularly the young people who play. You expect them to show a lot of backbone and do the business.
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"When we got beaten in the world cup [quarter-final] I could have run away, but I fronted because I thought that was the right thing to do."
You wonder if that took some guts, given the general post-world cup unease.
Henry shrugs off suggestions it was a brave move. Just a necessary one. "I didn't think for a minute I'd get reappointed," he confides. "When I had the interview [wife] Raewyn had come down to Wellington with me and I came back to the hotel after and said `it's all over'. It was a surprise to me."
CARDIFF IS a permanent scar on the Henry psyche. He admits as much as he harks back to that fateful evening in the principality he once ruled like a king.
"It always stays with you, and rightly so. It was massive. The first thing you feel is how to handle this as best you can for the people involved. I think we handled it bloody well. We didn't make any excuses, we took it on the chin and got on with life. That was very important for the young guys involved.
"Obviously it hurt, and still hurts. It was a difficult situation but I'm proud of the way we handled it as a group."
The next question is just how much does that 2007 failure fuel Henry now, especially with potential redemption finally at hand?
He makes one thing clear first: every All Blacks test carries its own pressure. Every one offers the chance to add to a rich legacy. "Winning a Rugby World Cup is not part of our legacy and that hurts. So it's part of your motivation. But every time the All Blacks put on that black jersey it's bloody important. It's not about revenge; it's about doing the business. But those things that happened in the past fuel you."
Like most New Zealand rugby coaches, Henry remembers the defeats more than the wins. So even though he has as incredible 86.2% success rate with the All Blacks (81 of 94 tests), and he's swept the Lions, won three Grand Slams and the Tri Nations five times in seven tilts, it's moments like Cardiff or the Boks sweep of '09 or, even further back, the agonising 1-2 series loss to the Wallabies with the Lions that lodge in the craw. "You remember those times because they hurt and they're very big learning experiences. That's probably natural," he says. Not coincidentally the theme, if you like, of this year's campaign is around learning from the mistakes of the past.
But here's where it gets interesting. Henry wouldn't swap the massive expectation the All Blacks face from their public for anything.
"It's inspirational," he says. "I don't think the All Blacks would be the world's winningest team in any sport, which is correct by a considerable margin, if we didn't have that expectation. So although it adds pressure, it's great pressure. I don't think we as New Zealanders actually appreciate what this team has done. I'm not talking about in my time, I'm talking about over 110 years. It's phenomenal."
HENRY BLAMES the media for this. And he gives me a bit of a glare to reinforce that. Clearly he feels we all take the All Blacks' unrivalled record a bit for granted.
"I don't think the expectation is a negative. It's a real positive. We wouldn't achieve what we do without the public having that expectation."
Henry, with the help of his capable assistants, is succeeding at getting his messages through to the players. They've won 22 of their last 23 tests, for goodness sake. He reckons the key is assembling the right intelligence – "if you've got no information to get across you're wasting your bloody time" – and then applying it sensibly.
He breaks the game-plan down into a two-part equation. Around 75% is constant things such as scrums, lineouts, restarts. Then there's 25% which he calls "the improvement area" and which can make the All Blacks the best in the world.
"That's my job," he explains. "I bring the 25% and the players then throw that out what they don't need and they finish up with 12.5%. That's fine. That's the process.
"The first step is getting the new ideas, the second getting the alignment and the third is making that a viable part of your game. To be viable it has to be simple because when you're running round at 100 miles an hour and making decisions the simpler the better."
Henry relates a funny story at corporate functions. It involves his old skipper Tana Umaga querying him about why he gave team talks close to games. Henry hoped they might be "helpful".
Umaga disabused him of that notion. "I was depressed for a week after that," says the coach with a grin.
So the red-faced, clipboard-thruster in the ads is just a work of fiction? Overplayed, says Henry.
"In the amateur days when there was a bank teller and a farmer and a builder and you brought them together for two training runs and a game the coach's influence was as a button pusher today you're living together for a week, and they get motivated by the environment and the collective challenge to do something special. The old bash on the changing-room walls to do the business is well gone."
That's Henry for you. Old school meets modern times.
MASTER AND COMMANDER
Graham Henry's test coaching recor:
Wales 1998-2002
Played 36 won 22, lost 13, drew 1
Winning percentage 61.1%
British & Irish Lions 2001
Played 3 won 1, lost 2
Winning percentage 33.3%
All Blacks 2004-11
Played 94 won 81, lost 13
Winning percentage 86.2%
Where Henry sits in All Blacks history:
Best coaching records since 1949 (with win ratio)
Fred Allen 1966-68 14 tests, 14 wins 100%
Graham Henry 2004-11 94 tests, 81 wins 86.2%
Alex Wyllie 1988-91 29 tests, 25 wins 86.2%
John Mitchell 2001-03 28 tests, 23 wins, 1 draw 82.1%
Neil McPhail 1961-65 20 tests, 16 wins, 2 draws 80%
Brian Lochore 1985-87 18 tests, 14 wins, 1 draw 77.7%
Monday, August 8, 2011
Another Black night across ditch for Wallabies
Click for more photosEden Park hoodoo remains as All Blacks ruthless in 30-14 win
To the victors go the spoils ... the All Blacks celebrate with the Bledisloe Cup. Photo: Getty Images
SMASHED. Swamped. Made to look second rate. And there goes the Bledisloe Cup for the eighth year running.
The All Blacks' extraordinary quarter-century dominance over the Wallabies at Eden Park continued untroubled last night when they took control of this Tri Nations Test in minutes, then stubbornly refused to allow their rivals back into the game.
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After all the bluff and bluster about the new-generation Wallabies suddenly worrying the All Blacks, their first meeting of the year was a demoralising affair from an Australian point of view. The raging World Cup favourites were simply too physical and too clinical for an often-frazzled opposition.
At the start of the Test, the All Blacks conducted their provocative ''slit across the throat'' haka, and this appeared to have the desired effect of unsettling their opponents.
Right from the kick-off, the All Blacks succeeded in carving up the Wallabies, who were soon floundering and forced to play frenetic, disorganised, catch-up football.
For the Wallabies to have any chance at Eden Park, they had to start well. Instead, they were abominable, and paid a dreadful price when finding themselves 17 points behind after just 26 minutes.
The Wallabies put the hobbles on their own legs by allowing the All Blacks midfield to break through and make an enormous amount of ground virtually every time they were in possession in the opening quarter.
Wallabies players fell off tackles, giving the All Blacks confidence and a surge of energy. They were everywhere in numbers, while the visitors were often restricted to scrambling, one-out play.
The Wallabies were lucky to have only two tries scored against them before the break, so dominant were the All Blacks in attack.
After just eight minutes, the All Blacks were 10-0 ahead. Wallabies flanker David Pocock was caught on the wrong side of the breakdown and the home team took advantage when winger Sitiveni Sivivatu got through a Rocky Elsom tackle. Sivivatu then cleverly popped the ball up to flanker Jerome Kaino, who warded off more Wallabies tacklers before putting centre Ma'a Nonu through. There was a brief surge of excitement for the Wallabies midway during the half when they went through 14 phases of play, often pushing it to the wings. But it was soon clear the All Blacks were more effective in defence, knowing precisely what the Wallabies playmakers, in particular Quade Cooper, were up to.
The All Blacks were decidedly more aggressive in their play, often stunning the Wallabies with their belligerent approach, which lead to scuffles aplenty - something which does not often happen in trans-Tasman matches. But the All Blacks knew they could unnerve the Wallabies youngsters by being arrogant - and it worked. They enjoyed a near-perfect first half that also involved their hooker Keven Mealamu scoring a burrowing try.
Adding to the Wallabies' woes was James O'Connor's wayward kicking - he missed his first three penalty shots.
There was some rejoicing in the 52nd minute when the Wallabies were able to make something out of virtually nothing, when fullback Kurtley Beale charged away from the tackle area and sucked in a few defenders before giving winger Digby Ioane space. Ioane picked the right moment to swerve in and out to get around Mils Muliaina to at last put the Wallabies on the scoreboard.
But as usual, their heads turned into pumpkins. The Wallabies relaxed, and wasted the moment. At a time when they had to rally, the All Blacks scored immediately from the kick-off, when their centre Conrad Smith seized the ball and then Sivivatu beat four Wallabies to score.
It was a horrid red-face moment for the Wallabies and ended what little hope they had left of winning the Test.
NEW ZEALAND 30 (Keven Mealamu, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu tries Daniel Carter 3 cons 2 pens drop goal) btAUSTRALIA 14 (Rocky Elsom, Digby Ioane tries Quade Cooper 2 cons) at Eden Park. Referee: Craig Joubert.
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