Sir Graham Henry

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Lore & Background

Henry played rugby union for Canterbury and cricket for Canterbury in the Plunket Shield. He also played cricket for Otago in the Hawke Cup (not first-class). Before becoming a full-time coach, Henry worked as a school teacher and headmaster. He coached successful Auckland and Auckland Blues teams in the 1990s, winning National Provincial Championship titles in 1993, 1994, 1995 and 1996 with Auckland, and the inaugural Super 12 title with the Blues in 1996. He coached Wales from 1998 to 2002, with some success, including an 11-match winning streak spanning 1998–1999. He was head coach of the British & Irish Lions in their 2001 tour of Australia, in which they lost the test series 2–1. He was appointed head coach of New Zealand in 2004, and had several successful seasons, including a series victory over the British & Irish Lions in 2005. Henry was heavily criticised following the All Blacks' quarter-final exit at the 2007 Rugby World Cup and was reappointed amid some controversy. He subsequently led the All Blacks to win the 2011 Rugby World Cup final. He stepped down as All Blacks coach in 2011 after 140 matches in a career that also included five Tri Nations titles. In 2012, Henry joined Argentina as an advisor, and acted as an assistant coach to the Argentina national team. In 2013, he re-committed to Argentina for the 2013 Rugby Championship.

In Their Own Story

The road to the 2011 title was paved with resilience after the heartbreak of 2007. In July 2009, Henry extended his contract through the end of the 2011 Rugby World Cup held in New Zealand. During a 2009 series against France for the Dave Gallagher Trophy, he famously did not tell the All Blacks they needed to win by a specific margin, reasoning that the "relatively young" squad didn't need extra pressure—a decision some players questioned. His reappointment culminated on the final stage where the All Blacks beat France 8–7 in the 2011 final. This victory validated his leadership after years of contention. Upon stepping down on 1 November 2011, Henry finished with a career record of 88 wins in 103 tests (an 85.4% winning percentage), having guided the team to five Tri Nations titles and a Grand Slam in 2005.

Reader's Guide

After attending Christchurch Boys' High School where he was tutored in part by John Graham, Henry studied at the University of Otago, gained a Diploma in Physical Education in 1969, and became a secondary school geography and physical education teacher. He taught at two schools known for their rugby prowess – Auckland Grammar School and Kelston Boys' High School. He coached both their first XVs. He began his career at Auckland Grammar School as a Physical Education Teacher in 1973 and remained there – while completing a Bachelor of Education at Massey University in 1979 until 1982, when he was appointed deputy headmaster of Kelston. Following the unexpected death of headmaster Jim Paton while jogging in 1987, Henry became headmaster. He held the job until resigning to become a full-time coach in 1996. His first major role was as coach of the successful Auckland provincial rugby team from 1992 to 1997. During his tenure, the team won the National Provincial Championship (NPC) four years in a row (1993–1996). Henry also coached the Blues in the Super 12 – winning the title in 1996 and 1997, and losing the final in 1998. He returned to the Blues as technical advisor for the 2003 season, in which they were again crowned champions. After being overlooked for the All Blacks coaching position in 1996, Henry left New Zealand in 1998 to coach Wales, at the time becoming the highest paid rugby union coach in the world for a reputed £250,000 per year. His success with Wales resulted in him being given the nickname 'the Great Redeemer' in the media there after guiding his side to eleven consecutive victories in 1999. As a result, Henry gained celebrity status in Wales. He was appointed coach of the British and Irish Lions for their unsuccessful 2001 tour to Australia – this made him the first Lions' coach from outside the Home Nations since Arthur O'Brien in 1904. He left Wales in 2002 after a record defeat to Ireland in the Six Nations by 54–10, and returned to New Zealand where he was appointed defensive coach of the Blues during their successful 2003 Super 12 season. Following the All Blacks' semi-final loss to Australia in the 2003 Rugby World Cup the All Blacks coaching job was advertised. Apart from incumbent coach John Mitchell, Henry was the only applicant and took the job in December of that year. Henry appointed his former Wales assistant Steve Hansen as forwa

Did You Know?

• Henry played first-class cricket for Canterbury in the Plunket Shield, and also played cricket for Otago in the Hawke Cup (not first-class).
• He coached Wales to an 11-match winning streak spanning 1998–1999.
• He was head coach of the British & Irish Lions in their 2001 tour of Australia.
• He was appointed deputy headmaster of Kelston Boys' High School in 1982, and became headmaster in 1987.