Henry quits as All Blacks coach

ormond lad

http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2011/1...ewzealand.html

Henry quits as All Blacks coach

Monday, 31 October 2011 23:35
Graham Henry has stepped down as coach of the All Blacks, nine days after guiding New Zealand to a second World Cup triumph on home soil.
The 65-year-old, whose team beat France 8-7 in the final at Eden Park, told a news conference in Auckland that he had "had enough" after eight years in a job considered his country's second-most scrutinised after that of Prime Minister.
"It has been a privilege to be involved in the All Blacks," he told a news conference in Auckland. "I'm very proud of what they've done over the last eight years. They have certainly added to the legacy of All Blacks rugby."

As well as the World Cup triumph, Henry steered the All Blacks to 88 wins in 103 tests, clinched five Tri-Nations titles, swept the 2005 British and Irish Lions and completed grand slam tours in 2005, 2008 and 2010.
Henry, linked with a possible role in the England set-up or a return to the Auckland Blues where he enjoyed great success before moving into test rugby, said he would be making no immediate announcement on his future plans.
"I'd just like to say thanks to the guys who have played over those eight years, those 103 tests," he added. "Especially thanks to Tana Umaga and Richie McCaw who were the long-term captains over that time."
Taking over the team in 2004 after stints as Wales and British and Irish Lions coach, Henry inherited a side that had crashed out of the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup under John Mitchell.
The former secondary school headmaster nicknamed "Ted" set about building a team that swept all before them from 2005, including a series sweep of the Lions and the team's second grand slam tour of Britain.
They were red-hot favourites to win the Webb Ellis Cup in 2007, but surprisingly exited at the quarter-final stage when they lost to France in Cardiff.
Henry was reappointed in late 2007 in a decision that split New Zealand, with many favouring Mitchell's assistant Robbie Deans, the hugely successful Canterbury Crusaders coach, to step back into the All Blacks frame again.
Deans crossed the Tasman to coach Australia after the decision, while Henry set about restoring the All Blacks' pride with assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith.
Forwards coach Hansen is now expected to succeed his mentor as coach.

thomond2006

It's been common knowledge for a long time that Henry was going to quit after the World Cup.

MyKeyG

thomond2006 wrote: »

It's been common knowledge for a long time that Henry was going to quit after the World Cup.

Yeah they were even wondering if he might take up a consultants role in the squad so that he was quitting as head coach is old news.

circos

What now i wonder... Rumors of England but cant see that happening

scudzilla

Gatland for the All Blacks maybe?

irishbucsfan

scudzilla wrote: »

Gatland for the All Blacks maybe?

I reckon Steve Hansen has had that job sewn up for a while now.

scudzilla

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I reckon Steve Hansen has had that job sewn up for a while now.

Hoping so as Gatland's doing a great job for us Taff's

Cill Dara Abu

Agree Hansen will no doubt be the next man in charge, Gatland is still quite young in managerial terms so plenty of time for him.

Where to next for Henry??

Hamo

Good luck to him... I've never seen a more intensly angry man ever... big Pi**ed off face all the time

CatFromHue

He does look funny when he smiles, almost as if it is hurting him!

He has done very well as a coach though so you can't argue with that.

irishh_bob

Hamo wrote: »

Good luck to him... I've never seen a more intensly angry man ever... big Pi**ed off face all the time

hes relativley cheerfull by kiwi standards , trust me

Jess16

Hamo wrote: »

Good luck to him... I've never seen a more intensly angry man ever... big Pi**ed off face all the time

Even so, he's left big boots to fill -one's I certainy don't think Gatland has the magnitude for. Personally, I think he lacks the innovation to slot in at the AB's

nc6000

I reckon he jumped before he was pushed. Rumour is he was gonna get the sack.

CatFromHue

Jess16 wrote: »

Even so, he's left big boots to fill -one's I certainy don't think Gatland has the magnitude for. Personally, I think he lacks the innovation to slot in at the AB's

He certainly has but he had a very good management team in himself, Steve Hansen, and Wayne Smith. All who were head coaches themselves and Hansen who had international head coach experience.

When you look at all the other international teams that coaching ticket is far far stronger. Whoever replaces him will struggle to match such a management team.