Graham Henry-the facts..

[The Rugby Shadow]

from www.therugbyshadow.com

Tomorrow afternoon the All Black coach,Graham Henry ,will complete his 100th match in charge of the All Blacks.


A win against Canada will give him a winning percentage of 85% ,simply outstanding in any sport.

He began his coaching career with the Auckland Grammar 1st XV then later with the Kelston Boys 1st XV.

His first major coaching role was with the Auckland NPC side in 1992,and he won 4 NPC Championships in a row (1993-96)

Graham Henry was appointed the Blues inaugural Head Coach in 1996 and he won the first two Super 12 ***les with them in 1996-97 and was a losing finalist in 1998.

Following the 1998 season Henry,seeing that an All Black coaching position was not forthcoming,signed a contract with Wales which made him at the time the highest paid Rugby coach in the world.

He went to Wales after they had suffered a 96-13 hammering by the Springboks (1998).
Just 5 months later,in Henrys first game in charge,Wales got to within 8 points of the Springboks,losing
28-20,a remarkable turnaround.

12 months later,Wales beat the Springboks 29-19.

Hence he was called "the great redeemer."

Graham Henry had a 58% success rate (34 tests,20 wins)with Wales.This included 11 consecutive
victories.Only John Dawes (1974-79) and Clive Rowlands (1968-74) had a better
success rate.

He was largely criticised for the results he achieved when he was in charge of the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia in 2001.While they won the first test and dominated large parts of the second test,the Lions lost the series 2-1 when they possibly should have won.

But history will show that in the last 35 years,the Lions have won only 9 games while losing 21,and winning only 2 series (1989 and 1997) in this time while losing 7.

It puts in to perspective the difficulties in Coaching the Lions.

Graham Henry returned home to New Zealand and was promptly part of another Super Rugby ***le as 'technical advisor' to the Blues in 2003.

Following the semi final exit of the All Blacks in the 2003 World Cup,Henry was handed the All Blacks coaching role he coveted so much.

The rest,as they say,is history.

100 test matches in charge of the All Blacks,a New Zealand record.And a success rate second only to the great Fred Allen who had 14 wins in 14 attempts.

A World Cup will see Graham Henry lauded as the best All Black coach of all time, a possible knighthood and guaranteed free drinks at every rugby club in NZ forever… a fitting reward for a long and distinguished career.

 

[William18]

A great coach no matter what happens later this month.

 

[nickdnz]

Very good coach, one of the best of all time (providing you keep him away from selections!)

 

[UilamOsa]

from www.therugbyshadow.com

Tomorrow afternoon the All Black coach,Graham Henry ,will complete his 100th match in charge of the All Blacks.

A win against Canada will give him a winning percentage of 85% ,simply outstanding in any sport.

He began his coaching career with the Auckland Grammar 1st XV then later with the Kelston Boys 1st XV.

His first major coaching role was with the Auckland NPC side in 1992,and he won 4 NPC Championships in a row (1993-96)

Graham Henry was appointed the Blues inaugural Head Coach in 1996 and he won the first two Super 12 ***les with them in 1996-97 and was a losing finalist in 1998.

How many current All Black greats did he have with both the Blues and the Auckland NPC side.

Following the 1998 season Henry,seeing that an All Black coaching position was not forthcoming,signed a contract with Wales which made him at the time the highest paid Rugby coach in the world.

He went to Wales after they had suffered a 96-13 hammering by the Springboks (1998).
Just 5 months later,in Henrys first game in charge,Wales got to within 8 points of the Springboks,losing
28-20,a remarkable turnaround.

12 months later,Wales beat the Springboks 29-19.

Hence he was called "the great redeemer."

Graham Henry had a 58% success rate (34 tests,20 wins)with Wales.This included 11 consecutive
victories.Only John Dawes (1974-79) and Clive Rowlands (1968-74) had a better
success rate.

He was largely criticised for the results he achieved when he was in charge of the British and Irish Lions on their tour of Australia in 2001.While they won the first test and dominated large parts of the second test,the Lions lost the series 2-1 when they possibly should have won.

But history will show that in the last 35 years,the Lions have won only 9 games while losing 21,and winning only 2 series (1989 and 1997) in this time while losing 7.

It puts in to perspective the difficulties in Coaching the Lions.

Again look at the talent he had available - arguably for the lions the very best of the british and irish and some of those would be some of the best of that era.

Graham Henry returned home to New Zealand and was promptly part of another Super Rugby ***le as 'technical advisor' to the Blues in 2003.

Following the semi final exit of the All Blacks in the 2003 World Cup,Henry was handed the All Blacks coaching role he coveted so much.

The rest,as they say,is history.

100 test matches in charge of the All Blacks,a New Zealand record.And a success rate second only to the great Fred Allen who had 14 wins in 14 attempts.

A World Cup will see Graham Henry lauded as the best All Black coach of all time, a possible knighthood and guaranteed free drinks at every rugby club in NZ forever… a fitting reward for a long and distinguished career.

How many other AB's coaches have had the opportunity to coach 100 test matches? How many other AB's coaches have had the talent and depth of World Class players that Henry have ever had. How many current AB's under Graham Henry's reign would be some of the best AB's in their respective positions (or at least in the top 5 of their positions) of all time?

I'd say he's the best they've had. And it would be unfair to recognize his contribution but that said he's been given leeway that no other AB's coach has ever had and has not even come close to a World Cup final. Yet.

I'm not on the Deans bandwagon and I like this grumpy old man - but i'll reserve full judgement depending on the results of the RWC.

 

[Larksea]

How many other AB's coaches have had the opportunity to coach 100 test matches? How many other AB's coaches have had the talent and depth of World Class players that Henry have ever had.

I think the only reason Henry made it to 100 is simply because his record is so awesome. He survived the 2007 exit off the back of his record in everything else, heck that one test against France is to this day the only test match Henry's all blacks have lost in Europe.

And to say he's had the talented players is also moot. Sure Dan Carter and McCaw are awesome but before them was the Andrew Mehrtens/Spencer and Josh Kronfeld/Zinzan Brooke Era and before that was Grant Fox/Sean Fitzpatrick and Michael Jones Era. All Blacks have always had a cluster of clear best in the world players to do the job on the field.

Henry is not the perfect Coach, at times I think there are issues with selection and I don't think he's given some players the space and time on the field they needed to be able to develop at test level.

But what I really like about Ted is he's an amazing coach of "people" not just the game of rugby. He's good at getting the best out of people and after all this time you never hear about "rift's between he and the players and he's had some great success stories like Nonu and Weepu who needed a lot of guidance to become the world class players they are today. maybe the only -ve I can think of is Nick Evans but he was mostly sick of being stuck behind Carter/playing 2nd fiddle to Carter.

And don't discount his technical ability either. In particular the defensive systems he came up with after becoming All Black coach set the standard the rest of the world had to adapt to or emulate. Producing Grand slam tours where His team didn't concede a try or 2nd half points game after game after game.

The 2007 squad team he produced was awesome, I doubt there had ever been a side to be such hot favorites for the World cup and it was mostly due to shear bad luck and many factors outside his control they they didn't go all the way.

Great coach, great guy. I hope he does win so he can go down as our best ever and weak the "great redeemer" tag in New Zealand as well.

 

[james5000]

I think the only reason Henry made it to 100 is simply because his record is so awesome. He survived the 2007 exit off the back of his record in everything else, heck that one test against France is to this day the only test match Henry's all blacks have lost in Europe.

And to say he's had the talented players is also moot. Sure Dan Carter and McCaw are awesome but before them was the Andrew Mehrtens/Spencer and Josh Kronfeld/Zinzan Brooke Era and before that was Grant Fox/Sean Fitzpatrick and Michael Jones Era. All Blacks have always had a cluster of clear best in the world players to do the job on the field.

Henry is not the perfect Coach, at times I think there are issues with selection and I don't think he's given some players the space and time on the field they needed to be able to develop at test level.

But what I really like about Ted is he's an amazing coach of "people" not just the game of rugby. He's good at getting the best out of people and after all this time you never hear about "rift's between he and the players and he's had some great success stories like Nonu and Weepu who needed a lot of guidance to become the world class players they are today. maybe the only -ve I can think of is Nick Evans but he was mostly sick of being stuck behind Carter/playing 2nd fiddle to Carter.

And don't discount his technical ability either. In particular the defensive systems he came up with after becoming All Black coach set the standard the rest of the world had to adapt to or emulate. Producing Grand slam tours where His team didn't concede a try or 2nd half points game after game after game.

The 2007 squad team he produced was awesome, I doubt there had ever been a side to be such hot favorites for the World cup and it was mostly due to shear bad luck and many factors outside his control they they didn't go all the way.

Great coach, great guy. I hope he does win so he can go down as our best ever and weak the "great redeemer" tag in New Zealand as well.

My only grudge against Henry is that World Cup performance, he promised so much and delivered so little.
If he wins this one then I will most probably become a fan again

 

[nik]

I was happy with the rotation policy he used in 05 and 06. However the rehab program was not required. He took the top 20 odd players away from super 14 action for the first 7 weeks. That left the players under cooked - and then he continued rotating his players upto and including the world cup.
That was one of the many several factors that resulted in their early demise.

Other then that he is pretty good coach. However when he became the coach, the All Blacks were in a good shape. Mitchell and Deans had formed a solid young team with lots of talent. The core All Blacks playing today were there in that 2003 world cup.

A lot players that get dropped come back better (except maybe Donald). The master stroke was shifting Carter from 12 to 10. I dont know when Deans would have done that, he persisted keeping Carter at 12 during 2004 super 12 season, he benched Merhtens and played Cameron McIntyre at 10. Even at the begining of 2005 super rugby season, once Carter had become the incumbant AB 1st 5, Deans started Carter at fullback for the first couple of matches only to realise Merhts was no longer in form. ( The master stroke may have been Wayne Smith's call)

 

[UilamOsa]

I think the only reason Henry made it to 100 is simply because his record is so awesome. He survived the 2007 exit off the back of his record in everything else, heck that one test against France is to this day the only test match Henry's all blacks have lost in Europe.

And to say he's had the talented players is also moot. Sure Dan Carter and McCaw are awesome but before them was the Andrew Mehrtens/Spencer and Josh Kronfeld/Zinzan Brooke Era and before that was Grant Fox/Sean Fitzpatrick and Michael Jones Era. All Blacks have always had a cluster of clear best in the world players to do the job on the field.

Henry is not the perfect Coach, at times I think there are issues with selection and I don't think he's given some players the space and time on the field they needed to be able to develop at test level.

But what I really like about Ted is he's an amazing coach of "people" not just the game of rugby. He's good at getting the best out of people and after all this time you never hear about "rift's between he and the players and he's had some great success stories like Nonu and Weepu who needed a lot of guidance to become the world class players they are today. maybe the only -ve I can think of is Nick Evans but he was mostly sick of being stuck behind Carter/playing 2nd fiddle to Carter.

And don't discount his technical ability either. In particular the defensive systems he came up with after becoming All Black coach set the standard the rest of the world had to adapt to or emulate. Producing Grand slam tours where His team didn't concede a try or 2nd half points game after game after game.

The 2007 squad team he produced was awesome, I doubt there had ever been a side to be such hot favorites for the World cup and it was mostly due to shear bad luck and many factors outside his control they they didn't go all the way.

Great coach, great guy. I hope he does win so he can go down as our best ever and weak the "great redeemer" tag in New Zealand as well.

Don't get me wrong - i'm a fan.

I'm just pointing out the fact that he had such an awesome base of players to choose from whereas some of the past all black coaches may not have. Wayne Smith in his tenure for example. Also, my understanding is pre-RWC 2003 - Mitchell had the best AB's record.
I'd be more interested to understand if Welsh fans can attribute the same type of Joy and Adulation given the time Henry was coaching them. As it would have been more of a better example of his coaching skills than just relying on his current AB's record.

In my mind, it's like the current Springbok situation, they have such depth of players and support (specifically the assistant coaching staff) that for the most part - irrespective of the Head Coach - they still have the potential to be world champs. The AB's around GH era all the talent and potential to defeat all comers.

There's no doubt that he's a good coach and likely to go down as the most successful AB's coach but i'm wondering if he had the limited resources of talent and money would he still have the same type of success.

As someone that was there at Cardiff for that game - I'm supportive for GH and hope that he ends with a RWC, but I still doubt alot of the choices made for not just the AB's selection for this RWC but the duration.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Mitchell and Deans might've been good coaches, but they sucked as man-managers. Dropping Mehrtens, Cullen and Oliver before WC2003 was mental. Ben Blair and Ben Atiga both made it ahead of Cullen.. one of the biggest selection blunders of all time.

Funnily enough the other day I watched a Bledisloe game from 2003 when we played Aus over in Aus.. man we were awesome, so many good players who carved up. It's funny how you forget how good the likes of Marshall, Spencer, Rokocoko, Umaga and Mauger were in their primes. After watching that I don't know how we didn't beat Aussie in the semi in 2003 (I guess not having Umaga killed us a bit).

 

[Black Heart]

Mitchell and Deans might've been good coaches, but they sucked as man-managers. Dropping Mehrtens, Cullen and Oliver before WC2003 was mental. Ben Blair and Ben Atiga both made it ahead of Cullen.. one of the biggest selection blunders of all time.

Funnily enough the other day I watched a Bledisloe game from 2003 when we played Aus over in Aus.. man we were awesome, so many good players who carved up. It's funny how you forget how good the likes of Marshall, Spencer, Rokocoko, Umaga and Mauger were in their primes. After watching that I don't know how we didn't beat Aussie in the semi in 2003 (I guess not having Umaga killed us a bit).

The fact that Spencer was the most overrated player in existance might have added to it. At times he did do some excellent work, but for the most part he was average. He was one of those big headed players who only went out there to make himself look good.

 

[Isurus]

Henry is the stone cold nuts. The only reason people seem to qualify their praise is because of one match in RWC 2007. And that was hardly a normal day.

After his retirement I look forward to getting his "real" views on that match. I am sure they would make interesting reading.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Great coach. I can only imagine what someone like him might have done for SA instead of our clown. A very tiny part of me wouldn't have minded NZ winning the cup for Henry's and Carter's sake. Now that Carter is out though that little part is dead LOL. Wouldn't mind Henry not winning a RWC for just his sake. That said if SA manage to sneak it I won't be one so sing Pdivvy's praises (or Gold or Muir). That'd be Rassie Erasmus, Jaques Nienaber and the old legs on the field being up for one more match.

 

[RetiredRog]

Yes Henry has a fine record.....BUT... He has a large shadow hanging over him.....To be classed as great he HAS to deliver the All Blacks that little yellow cup as he disrespectfully described it after the All B

 

[RetiredRog]

Yes Henry has a fine record.....BUT... He has a large shadow hanging over him.....To be classed as great he HAS to deliver the All Blacks that little yellow cup as he disrespectfully described it after the All Backs were beaten by France in 2007. Will he and his team 'Choke' again WHEN IT REALLY MATTERS?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Yes Henry has a fine record.....BUT... He has a large shadow hanging over him.....To be classed as great he HAS to deliver the All Blacks that little yellow cup as he disrespectfully described it after the All Backs were beaten by France in 2007. Will he and his team 'Choke' again WHEN IT REALLY MATTERS?

Agreed. Obviously a gifted coach and obviously the best team and some of the players have been consistently the best in the business for a while now BUT the RWC is the only point in time that ALL teams are at their best (barring injury) and aren't rusty or experimenting or resting players or at the end of a long season or whatever other reasons team have for not being at their best. IE it's the one that counts.