Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

All Black domination 'boring' says ex coach

Sir Graham Henry

Two former international coaches have come out with diametrically opposed views to the All Blacks‘ last test victory – and one of them used to be in charge of the world champions.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sir Graham Henry, quoted at an Emirates Rugby event in Dubai, said that rugby “doesn’t need one team that’s unbeatable, because that’s boring.”

“There’s no point having one team much better than everybody else because that doesn’t create interest. When you’re not coaching you want a competition and when you’re coaching, you don’t.” he said.

Henry also heaped praise on his former team, saying “What the All Blacks have done is been initiators in change, they’re inventive.Their ability to take advantage of opportunities is probably their X factor. And once they see the opportunity, they execute it.”

Meanwhile, Henry’s former arch rival Sir Clive Woodward has heaped praise on the All Blacks and Springboks’ attacking intent in his Daily Mail column.

Calling the 25-24 All Black win a ‘fantastic game’, Woodward lauded the “refusal of either side to kick the ball dead after the klaxon went for half-time. Both teams were ultra positive and wanted to play and entertain.”

Contrary to Henry’s assertions, Woodward claimed that the match “showcased the best the Rugby Championship has to offer. Contrary to what the critics say, this tournament is not moving in the wrong direction.”

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

A
Another 8 hours ago
Razor's 2024 All Blacks Christmas wish list

"It seems like the idea of Ardie Savea moving to openside flanker is no longer on the table"


Says who? Savea was picked on the open side, with Wallace Sititi at 8, against France. It makes no difference to Savea’s game, whatsoever and allows Sititi to play in his preferred position. It also provides an option to bring in a third loose forward that may provide a better lineout option and a big body to compete with some of the big bodies found in other teams.


It was unfortunate that Finau was injured so early on against France before he had a chance to show how he might combine with Savea and Sititi, and there is still a possibility that Hoskins Sotutu might be effective alongside them too.


Don’t count out viable options.

28 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ What is the future of rugby in 2025? What is the future of rugby in 2025?
Search