2008 is Henry's greatest triumph
December 02, 2008
Graham Henry and his All Blacks are fully deserving of the praise being directed their way.
While the disappointment of last year's World Cup campaign will never go away, especially in the minds of those involved, what Henry and his side have been able to do this year has been outstanding!
To win 13 out of the All Blacks' 15 tests this season should be impressive in anyone's book.
Of course sections of the All Blacks' fan-base don't tolerate losses of any sort, but that is just not the reality anymore in the closely-fought international arena.
Henry has also been able to taste impressive success with a largely new-look squad.
The depth at the top-level was further tested in '08 following the post-World Cup player exodus off-shore.
It was an exodus which saw some, including All Black great Zinzan Brooke, predict the ABs would be lucky to avoid the Tri Nations wooden spoon.
The smarts of the coaching of Henry, and his assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith, were further tested with the arrival of the ELVs in the Tri Nations.
While they were out-coached in the Wallabies' triumph in Sydney in late July by Robbie Deans, they re-evaluated the All Black game plan and came back stronger than ever.
The 2008 season has seen some great rugby having been played by the All Blacks.
While the 34-19 loss to the Wallabies in Sydney was undoubtedly the low point, what followed just seven days later was sublime rugby.
Lifted by the return of captain Richie McCaw - the world's best rugby player - the All Blacks performed a stunning turnaround to out-class Deans' Wallabies 39-10 at Eden Park.
It was a great showing from the All Blacks, with McCaw, lock Ali Williams and halfback Jimmy Cowan all playing a leading hand.
Two weeks later and the All Blacks created a piece of history by beating the Springboks 19-0 in Cape Town.
The result was the first time the All Blacks have kept the Boks scoreless on South African soil in the 80-year history of the men in black visiting the Republic.
The score-line would have been greater too had Daniel Carter's kicking radar been on target. Goal-kicking aside, Carter had a blinder.
The All Blacks then endured a three-week bye from the Tri Nations before what was a tournament decider against the Wallabies in Brisbane.
During the break, they hammered a badly under-strength Manu Samoa 101-14 in New Plymouth.
Then came the match which I believe showed the true character of the 2008 All Blacks and Henry as a coach.
In front of a sold-out Suncorp Stadium, the All Blacks secured the Tri Nations and retained the Bledisloe Cup by beating the Wallabies 28-24.
It was an outstanding game of rugby, regardless of who you supported.
After the All Blacks made a strong start, the Wallabies looked to have taken control of the match early in the second half.
But Henry again turned the tables on Deans, going for his bench early in the second 40 minutes in hot and testing conditions, in the process providing the fresh legs which helped propel the All Blacks to a brilliant come from behind win.
The All Blacks then finished a great season off with a win over the Wallabies in Hong Kong, followed by their impressive Grand Slam triumph.
It was a journey which saw the All Blacks concede just three points - a penalty against England last weekend - during the second 40 minutes of each of the five internationals.
And the All Blacks' outstanding defensive qualities also denied Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England tries in the four tests in the UK.
And while there was much to be impressed about with the All Blacks' efforts on tour, Brisbane sticks out for me as the side's greatest moment.
Henry guided the All Blacks on their path to success in 2008 in trying circumstances, including in the face of a back-lash from Deans supporters in the media and a section of the team's fan base.
And while he wasn't everyone's choice to be hired beyond the World Cup, it would take a close-minded person to belittle his achievements.
How do you rate the achievements of Henry and his All Blacks in 2008?
And what match sticks out for you the most as the defining moment of the side?
While the disappointment of last year's World Cup campaign will never go away, especially in the minds of those involved, what Henry and his side have been able to do this year has been outstanding!
To win 13 out of the All Blacks' 15 tests this season should be impressive in anyone's book.
Of course sections of the All Blacks' fan-base don't tolerate losses of any sort, but that is just not the reality anymore in the closely-fought international arena.
Henry has also been able to taste impressive success with a largely new-look squad.
The depth at the top-level was further tested in '08 following the post-World Cup player exodus off-shore.
It was an exodus which saw some, including All Black great Zinzan Brooke, predict the ABs would be lucky to avoid the Tri Nations wooden spoon.
The smarts of the coaching of Henry, and his assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith, were further tested with the arrival of the ELVs in the Tri Nations.
While they were out-coached in the Wallabies' triumph in Sydney in late July by Robbie Deans, they re-evaluated the All Black game plan and came back stronger than ever.
The 2008 season has seen some great rugby having been played by the All Blacks.
While the 34-19 loss to the Wallabies in Sydney was undoubtedly the low point, what followed just seven days later was sublime rugby.
Lifted by the return of captain Richie McCaw - the world's best rugby player - the All Blacks performed a stunning turnaround to out-class Deans' Wallabies 39-10 at Eden Park.
It was a great showing from the All Blacks, with McCaw, lock Ali Williams and halfback Jimmy Cowan all playing a leading hand.
Two weeks later and the All Blacks created a piece of history by beating the Springboks 19-0 in Cape Town.
The result was the first time the All Blacks have kept the Boks scoreless on South African soil in the 80-year history of the men in black visiting the Republic.
The score-line would have been greater too had Daniel Carter's kicking radar been on target. Goal-kicking aside, Carter had a blinder.
The All Blacks then endured a three-week bye from the Tri Nations before what was a tournament decider against the Wallabies in Brisbane.
During the break, they hammered a badly under-strength Manu Samoa 101-14 in New Plymouth.
Then came the match which I believe showed the true character of the 2008 All Blacks and Henry as a coach.
In front of a sold-out Suncorp Stadium, the All Blacks secured the Tri Nations and retained the Bledisloe Cup by beating the Wallabies 28-24.
It was an outstanding game of rugby, regardless of who you supported.
After the All Blacks made a strong start, the Wallabies looked to have taken control of the match early in the second half.
But Henry again turned the tables on Deans, going for his bench early in the second 40 minutes in hot and testing conditions, in the process providing the fresh legs which helped propel the All Blacks to a brilliant come from behind win.
The All Blacks then finished a great season off with a win over the Wallabies in Hong Kong, followed by their impressive Grand Slam triumph.
It was a journey which saw the All Blacks concede just three points - a penalty against England last weekend - during the second 40 minutes of each of the five internationals.
And the All Blacks' outstanding defensive qualities also denied Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England tries in the four tests in the UK.
And while there was much to be impressed about with the All Blacks' efforts on tour, Brisbane sticks out for me as the side's greatest moment.
Henry guided the All Blacks on their path to success in 2008 in trying circumstances, including in the face of a back-lash from Deans supporters in the media and a section of the team's fan base.
And while he wasn't everyone's choice to be hired beyond the World Cup, it would take a close-minded person to belittle his achievements.
How do you rate the achievements of Henry and his All Blacks in 2008?
And what match sticks out for you the most as the defining moment of the side?
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