News

Henry to remain as Kiwi coach?

June 30 2009

Former All Black coach Laurie Mains has suggested that Graham Henry should not continue as the Kiwi's mentor for the unforseeable future.

The experienced Henry was awarded International Coach of the Year in 2005, 2006 and 2008 and completed stints with the Blues, Wales and the British and Irish Lions before joining the New Zealand camp in 2004.

Mains did find time to acknowledge Henry's contribution over the years, but had some concerns about his longevity with the teams he coached.

"To be fair to Graham he's had some great successes as a coach, but every team he's coached, towards the end of his time with them, they've dropped away," sai Mains speaking to Newstalk ZB.

"That sort of says to me that the pattern's too complicated for the players to accurately implement. If that is the case, that will impact the skill part of their game, I think, as they start to force things."

Mains considers the Chiefs' Ian Foster and Hurricanes coach Colin Cooper as competent replacements, with Todd Blackadder of the Crusaders providing another alternative.

"I was really impressed with the way the Chiefs put their games together this year. They played aggressive and sensible rugby," he continued.

"I was terribly impressed with the way the Crusaders - and they were a young team - came away very strong towards the end."