Henry goes back to where it all started for him

WELLINGTON: Graham Henry, who coached the All Blacks to victory at the 2011 World Cup on home soil, has returned to the side where he first came to prominence, having been appointed to assist Auckland coach Alama Ieremia in New Zealand’s provincial championship.

Henry coached the provincial side from 1992-97 as well as Super Rugby’s Auckland Blues from 1996-98. After a stint with Wales he returned to New Zealand and was appointed to the All Blacks role in 2004, stepping down after their World Cup triumph.

Auckland have struggled in recent years and Henry said he was here to help.

“It’s easy to criticise from the outside but let’s try and make a difference from the inside. I’ll be mentoring the coaches ... and the players and hope to make a difference,” he said.

Auckland are New Zealand’s most successful provincial team, having won 16 titles since the national championship was introduced in 1976. Henry won four of those titles from 1993-96.

The team, however, have not won the title since 2007, during which time arch-rivals Canterbury have clinched nine of the 10 championships.

They also flirted with relegation from the top division for the first time last season, only surviving after Waikato lost in the final round of the regular season.

Former Samoa coach Ieremia, who was appointed last month, hoped to profit from Henry’s experience.

“Graham obviously has a wealth of knowledge around the defence systems and trends of the game with a track record that speaks for itself,” Ieremia said. “Additionally, a key aspect of Graham’s involvement is his role as a mentor not only to the coaches, but most importantly for the players.”

Fans from around the world will be able to purchase tickets for the Japan 2019 Rugby World Cup from today.

General ballot applications for Team Packs and Stadium Packs – allowing fans to follow their favourite team through the group stage or base themselves in a particular host city – will go on sale.

Applications will be accepted until the middle of February.

Tickets for the tournament had previously only been available to a select number of people who are members of the “Japan rugby family” or Japanese club team supporters.

A World Rugby spokesman said there had been strong demand for tickets in Japan and he expected the same level of excitement globally in the ticket packs to be launched on Saturday.

“Excitement across Japan is building,” the spokesman said. “On Friday, the organising committee launched the official mascot and we are seeing a great deal of host city engagement, which points to a tournament that will deliver an exceptional experience for travelling fans.”

Japan 2019 represents the first time the Rugby World Cup will be held in Asia and also the first time it will be hosted by a country outside the traditional heartlands of the sport.

The tournament will be held from September 20 to November 2, 2019.