markpat says...

For all of you saying that Henry never accused the ref's of match fixing:

"He told them he believed, given the graphic video evidence available, that the NZRU should pressure the International Rugby Board to institute an inquiry," Howitt writes.

"He also emphasised that it was incomprehensible that the IRB did not have strategies in place to investigate bizarre matches. And when it came to bizarre, this World Cup quarter-final was an absolute doozy.

"As far as Graham was concerned, the major reason the All Blacks had lost was not because of conditioning or rotation policies or decisions by his captain, but purely and simply because the officials had refereed only one team, to a degree unprecedented in the history of the sport."

He is not saying that the officials were bad, or even appalling, etc., he is saying that it should be investigated why the officials only refereed one team.

As for free speech, there is no such thing. Slander (or libel in this case, as it's a book), racism, terrorism, etc. are all things which are illegal in many places, all of which supercede people's right of free speech. I would be very surprised if New Zealand allowed true free speech and I know that almost all sporting bodies have restrictions on what you can actually come out and say, without penalty.

Posted 15:58 31st July 2012

JayStarr says...

As most people on here know, I am a Stormers fan - and not a Richard Anderson fan. But I agree with him to a large extent...

The fact that I don't go to Newlands anymore probably shows it more than anything. I don't go anymore, because even though we win I always leave so frustrated - along with all the other fans - it's just not fun anymore. It's stressful. For people like me who grew up on the stands of Newlands watching Province run the ball from their try line - and scoring - it is painful to see a Province team so one-dimensional and clueless on attack... even though they have players like Pietersen, Aplon, Habana, JdV, Juan de Jongh and Gerhard vd Heever at their disposal! And even after their forwards laid such a dominant platform as they did before the June break...

It is inexplicable. And frankly, I think I speak for most fans when I say that we'd rather see the Stormers play our traditional running rugby (like the Cheetahs are doing - and the Sharks were doing towards the end) and then finish 6th, than having to watch this boring, negative, kick and chase, bash, bash, bash, no idea how to draw a defender and offload, "winning rugby" they've been dishing up over the last two seasons...

The fact is, if everything stays the same (read "the current coaching panel") then it will be more of the same next year. They don't have the necessary skills-and attack-coaching ability between them to lift the Stormers' attack to a champion's level. Robbie Fleck would do better if he put a jersey on and got on the field again, because the Stormers backline has done nothing but go down since he joined...

If the Stormers, with the talent they have and the defense they have, can lift their attack to the level of the Cheetahs and Sharks, they will be champions for the next 5 years. If not, then it will be the same story over again.

Let's see what they do.

Posted 11:55 31st July 2012

AWEBLAX says...

Great article but I think deVilliers only done what another great player Richie had done in the other semi out of desperation to be Final, who knows what either of them were thinking.....as for the coaches you mentioned, what's with them all being Kiwis.......

Posted 07:09 31st July 2012

ruckingkiwi says...

Dingbat, Graham Henry never actually accused anyone of match fixing, did he?

Show me where!! He only thought this may be possible given the large exception in statistics in the match.

He is now retelling his thoughts in a book, yet you say "He is less of a man in every respect for having done so". Again, where did he do so? I believe him telling the whole truth is worthy of respect.

You say, "NZ have attempted to sully every world cup"

So you accuse our entire population ??

I find that a bit rich considering the history your people have. Is it fair to say you're less of a people in every respect for having done what your people have done? Now that is an absolute disgrace !!!

Posted 02:03 31st July 2012

LeftRightOut says...

Henry said nothing at the time - he is reflecting 5 years on, after retirement and after finding some peace of mind in reaching his goal. If he was moaning at the time then that would be a different story. If his comments promote better reffing and review for the benefit of all countries then I say thats a good thing. As a kiwi I accept that we lost in 2007, but I think everyone on this site can agree that improvements to the system can be made - especially as most seem to have complaints to make on behalf of their team/country - just don't shoot the messenger

Posted 01:05 31st July 2012

Carpelone says...

What can be said? So biased and unfair.

Whatever the interpretation of GH words is, they were totally inappropriate and embarassing.

I am not a Stormer fan, maybe this team just punched above their weight, there is no need to be so derogative and offensive. When it happens to watch some games from the Premiership, I always fall asleep on the couch. Such a dull, uninviting, uninspiring blob of fat corpses. Does the defeat in the series still hurt, PR?

Posted 22:32 30th July 2012

StunTheMullet says...

Graham Henry is entitled to freedom of speech.

Funny that the person saying it tarnishes his reputation happens to be Bob Francis, who appointed Barnes to referee the match at Cardiff.

Surely Bob Francis reputation should be hung ,drawn and quartered for being naive and stupid enough to appoint a novice referee to his first big game in a RWC knock out game between that years 6N and 3N champions.

Instead Bob plays the man rather than the ball.

Posted 21:54 30th July 2012

potemkine says...

Henry knows that the better defence is offence.. Looking at the last finale and the way the Kiwis were referred to insure they get the title, he prefers to talk of 2007...

what a disgrace. Sometimes it is just better to shut up.

Posted 16:56 30th July 2012

davodiablo says...

A fair article on a great coach . G.H.deserves his say on things now he's retired. Post match he was always honorable and respectful.

Posted 14:34 30th July 2012

Dingbat32 says...

"So we don't really know what compels some responders to say that this 'damages Henry's reputation', 'brings into question his credibility' or will make him 'ridiculed in many parts of the world'"

Really PR? So you are not aware that NZ have attempted to sully every world cup that they did not win?

Henry has insulted France, the referreing team, the ref assessors, the IRB and ultimately SA who won that world cup. He is less of a man in every respect for having done so.

Go back and watch the game. In fact close your eyes and just listen to the commentary. The commentators make frequent mention to some startling selections and subsitutions for that game! Read the independent report produced in NZ. Henry and NZ were significant contributors to their own downfall.

There is not even a sniff of foul play. So why are PR standing up for him? That would be like writing an article defending those who believe the O'Brien and Lawrence are part of a lizard based conspiracy against SA.

Posted 13:03 30th July 2012