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New Zealand reappoints Henry
From staff reporters
December 07, 2007 GRAHAM Henry has been reappointed as New Zealand coach, with the country's rugby union citing his "remarkable results" in the past four years for its decision.
Henry kept the job, even after the All Blacks recorded their worst result in Rugby World Cup history, a quarter-final loss to France, at the tournament earlier this year.
Henry, 61, who coached the All Blacks to 42 wins and six losses after being appointed four years ago, becomes the first man to hold the job in the year after a losing World Cup campaign.
The appointment leaves the door open for Crusaders coach Robbie Deans, who had been expected by many pundits to get the job, to be appointed as Australia coach.
Henry, who was appointed for a two-year term, said he was grateful to get another chance.
"We have been a strong and successful team over the last few years, but we were hugely disappointed we didn't bring the World Cup back for New Zealanders," he said.
"We have learnt lessons from this campaign and we now look forward to being able to build on those learnings and the experience we have."
The appointment was made after Henry, Deans, Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper and Chiefs coach Ian Foster were interviewed by the New Zealand union board.
Acting union chairman Mike Eagle said in a statement that the appointment followed a thorough process that reflected the importance of the position to New Zealand rugby.
"At the end of the process, the board concluded that Graham Henry was the best candidate for the position," he said.
"We are all disappointed not to have won the Rugby World Cup.
"In that regard, the NZRU Board accepts it was jointly responsible and accountable for the result and the planning that went into the campaign.
"We are committed to learning the key lessons which will be explored in the independent review announced earlier this week, led by Mike Heron and high performance expert Don Tricker."
Eagle said the decision was based on Henry's remarkable results over a four-year tenure.
"Graham's record, both on and off the field, is among the best in All Blacks rugby history," he said.
"He has set a very high standard in coaching, player management, and integration with the wider New Zealand rugby community."
Henry's All Blacks successfully defended the Bledisloe Cup four times, won the Tri-Nations three times, achieved a series sweep against the British and Irish Lions, and won a Grand Slam in 2005.
His teams were unbeaten at home and, until the quarter-final loss in Cardiff, unbeaten in Europe in four seasons
http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html
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