comeonletsplay says...

It does crack me up when I hear everyone moaning about an ex-coaches point of view. I sit here reading comments made by people week in, week out, moaning and b*tching at each other. His views are his views. Doesn't make him a bad person, just competitive!

Supporters from every country have a different take on how the game should be ref'ed and played, so why cant a coach? Generally there are so many one eyed comments on here its unbelievable, yet, no-one considers that players and coaches have - or in the eyes of supporters, are not allowed one - but do actually have one. Woodward, Johnson, That Aussie 11, Barnes (Wayne), Fitzpatrick, Brooke, Mexted, P Divvy.............everyone has an opinion, is it bias..............of course it is, because they feel there nation is better than everyone else's and will voice that as often as they can!!!

Sometimes, you just need to take a cement pill and some H2O and harden up!

Posted 10:10 30th July 2012

Ramage says...

Nothing is really to be gained by going over old history. yes it was amazing NZ never won a penalty in 60 minutes of play but really Graham it just reeks a wee bit of a conspiracy theory and allows all the All Black haters to come out screaming from their closet. Hansen sums it up lets move on. What happened that year brought out the worst in many NZ rugby supporters and this does not help matters. I thought it had been left behind and there are others who have suggested conspiracies in last year's RWC. I wonder if they will support Henry or denigrate him. Surely if as they claim there was a conspiracy last year then surely they will come out in support of Henry because they believe it can happen. What Im not sure about is if there was such a fixed map, is he suggesting Barnes, Kaplan and Spreadbury were involved because if he believes this then I for one just don't buy it. Sure the trio had a bad game but game fixing? Sorry Graham I just don't buy it.

Posted 10:04 30th July 2012

whizz52 says...

So the mighty game of rugby cann't have match fixing? It happens in every sport I am afraid-so why not rugby?. In this game I believe it was probably just a ref promoted above his ability at the time-but who knows if there is no system to bring refs to account?

Posted 09:55 30th July 2012

Chancer says...

Just confirms my opinion of NZ rugby, bad losers who expect the whole rugby world to agree that they are the best. GH should retire and keep his cry baby thoughts to himself, also please stay away from the NH we just don;t need this kind of attitude.

Posted 09:42 30th July 2012

D4tress says...

It's a little rich him banging on about the ref in 2007 when the only reason they beat France in the 2011 final was because of biased reffing!!

You win some, you lose some. Grow up GH.

Posted 09:30 30th July 2012

kybone says...

If that is how GH really feels then thats his call. It just goes to show that he really is as bitter and grumpy as he looks. There were obviously some bad calls during the game in question, but they were more than evened up by the bad calls in NZ favour during last years final. Sometimes things go for you and sometimes they don't. You jus have to get on with it. Throwing around accusations of match fixing is just absurd and shouldn't be done lightly as i don't think such a think could happen without the knowledge of the powers that be. Bearing that in mind, why the hell would the powers that be want NZ to lose when they're the IRB's best PR tool?

Posted 09:11 30th July 2012

hayj05 says...

Firtly the AB's did suffer from posioning in the 95 WC, it's a fact. There are witnesses & there were AB's spewing on the sidelines. Whether it was intentional or not we''ll never know. First time I've heard of complaining about the refs in 99, we know we were beaten by better sides in 91,99, & 03.

Secondly first 3 comments all ignore the stats, it's well known that in Union if you've got the ball & are attacking that generally the calls will come your way. the AB's dominated possesion & territory about as much as you could in tier 1 international match yet they recieved one of the lowest penatly counts in history (2) & didn't recieve a single penalty for the last 60 minutes.

He had every right to suspect match fixing at the time as a reasonable explanation although I'm sure Barnes was just overawed by the occasion.

@Bokbevok - I thought you'd be more understanding considering the reffing performance of Lawerance in South Africa's exit last year.

@Contempomi - It's not about the foward pass, eventhough it was a blantant one not just a touch & go one that every side will get away with on occasion & are you really that naive to think that match-fixing could only happen in Pakistani Cricket lol?

@Latin - You were there? Well conratulations... Just so you know, you get a much better few on the telly than on the sidelines & good riddance, you're obviously not a true supporter if you can't understand where Henry is coming from. He kept his mouth shut at the time & was very sporting, right up until he finished coaching & he is now releasing a biography, so why wouldn't it contain truthful thoughts?

Posted 08:48 30th July 2012

contepomi says...

Are they serious?! they profit from the benefit of the doubt on forward passes frequently and they don't like it when one sneaks through against them. it's a shocking allegation, i think wayne barnes is a solid ref, this isn't pakistani cricket,

Posted 08:07 30th July 2012

latin says...

NZ arrogance............france played well that day, i was there.

ABs just lost a supporter.

Go france.

Posted 07:59 30th July 2012