Hooray Henry – veteran coach to take final bow
Sir Graham Henry will call it quits at Eden Park on Saturday night.
A coach of more than 50 years, the Black Ferns’ World Cup final against England will be the last match of the 76-year-old’s lengthy career.
Henry, who guided the All Blacks to World Cup glory on home soil in 2011, has been working for the Black Ferns in a mentoring role the past six months.
‘‘You get to your middle 70s and you’re not on your toes like you used to be, and coaching, you’ve got to be on your toes all the time,’’ he told TVNZ. ‘‘I’m past being on my toes all the time.
‘‘It’s time to not do it any more. It’s time to retire from coaching.’’
Henry, who has also helped Auckland’s NPC team out in recent years, started coaching with the High School Old Boys’ colts in Christchurch in 1971.
The former headmaster went on to coach Auckland and the Blues, before heading to Wales and coaching their national side between 1998 and 2002.
Henry also coached the British and Irish Lions in 2001, when they were beaten 2-1 by Australia in an electric series.
Having taken over the All Blacks in 2004, he survived the All Blacks’ disastrous quarterfinal exit at the hands of France at the 2007 World Cup, when ultrasuccessful Crusaders coach Robbie Deans was tipped by many to land the top job.
Henry coached the All Blacks in 103 tests, winning 88 of them for a 85% success rate.
Come Saturday night, he won’t be in the coaching box alongside head coach Wayne Smith. No, it’s ‘‘too bloody stressful’’ for that, he told TVNZ, adding he’ll watch from the stands.
‘‘I’d be a hindrance, rather than a help,’’ he said, adding he’ll let Smith know via phone if he has any advice.