Dingbat32 says...

Graham Henry should now be heavily sanctioned by NZRFU and IRB, and preferably kicked out of the game for longer than the Dean Richards ban.

Utter disgrace, and not the first time NZ coaches and players have resorted to this nonsense rather than accept a loss.

By all means have a serious discussion on how to cut down ref errors. I think supporters of all teams can think of many cases when they have been hard done by. But rugby must never ever let this sort of behaviour become acceptable, and I hope Henry gets sued for slander.

Posted 19:17 29th July 2012

crunchfit says...

Surely he must be aware of the hypocrisy of what he is saying? Pretty much every comment from him in that article could be applied to his 2011 victory, but even more so, not to mention in 2011 it was the final, not the semi.

I've always liked Henry but these comments annoy me, especially given the manner of his victory against France. Whiney and hypocritical. He has his RWC now so he should should up.

Posted 17:40 29th July 2012

Mart1 says...

And by the way GH, winning vs France in 2007 would have only taken you to the semis whereas the ABs got handed victory by the referee in the 2011 final. I liked the man when he was a coach but since he retired, my god he just comes up with some shocking unecessary bullsh*t.

Posted 14:32 29th July 2012

safehands says...

Cue all the saffa whingers.....hahahaha!!!

Posted 14:06 29th July 2012

FISH says...

get over it already, if there is any truth to this then surely one can make a case for the s.a australia game in the quaters just last year........haha

Posted 13:43 29th July 2012

Mart1 says...

Well, Henry has a point about 2007 but in view of the 2011 final, it seems that the IRB has done a great job in levelling things out and all is square again between the two teams. France was the better team and should have had plenty more penalties awarded and therefore win it in NZ. The ABs got away with so much at the breakdown it was surreal.

Posted 13:24 29th July 2012

Terry_English says...

I think Graham Henry handled the aftermath of that game with remarkable dignity. Not once did he blame a referee who was out of his depth at the time!

Pity that others don't follow suit! For example, the New Zealand media (2007) and the South African media (2011).

André Watson comments about Bryce Lawrence's poor performance in South Africa's loss to Australia in the 2011 World Cup were inappropriate. He was in no position to say those things, especially after the way he refereed the scrums in the 2003 World Cup. Fortunately, England still won the match otherwise he would have been in exactly the same position as Wayne Barnes and Bryce Lawrence.

In a way it is a shame that this has come now and I would have preferred it if Graham Henry had left it alone. I suppose that is how he feels and will no doubt help sell his autobiography.

Posted 12:55 29th July 2012

bothhands says...

I was pretty drunk when I watched that match, but from what I can remember, France hit the ABs like freight train.

Posted 12:40 29th July 2012

kid_diablo says...

i would laugh if that wasn't so ridiculous how can he dare complain about match fixing after the 2011 final IF 2007 was rigged then it was more than made up for by them being absolutely gifted the 2011 final

Posted 12:39 29th July 2012

gauca says...

"He found the All Blacks had an overwhelming 73 per cent territorial advantage, won 166 rucks to 42 and made only 73 tackles in comparison to France's 331" - Exactly, and failed to convert the pressure. This game should have been finished in the first half, never mind the second.

Also, one of the oldest cliches is you can make stats say what you want, just ask a politician.

"the final score could been 42-3 or 42-6" - Absolutley, if they converted the pressure... but they didn't, therefore they lost.

France (from nowhere in tournament) were possibly the better side in 2011 final and were not for a few decisions could have won?? - But they didn't, and they also missed chances to win - therefore they lost, end of.

Strikes me as the typical "controversey" needed in any memoirs published these days to help shift a few more copies.

NZ are now deservedly WC, dragging this up seems rather sour, especially since some may say the boot was on the other foot in 2011 final. Sometimes the luck/decisions are for you and sometimes against.

My overwhelmng memory of the game in 2007 was the herculean effort to hold out, I didn't think it was as many as 300+ tackles, but that is a truly awesome stat.

Posted 12:28 29th July 2012