Graham Henry - a coach without portfolio, but wealthier

WYNNE GRAY says Graham Henry's decision to quit the 'shambles' of Welsh rugby was realistic.

A little over three years ago we knew where Graham Henry was going.

The departing Blues coach told a hastily convened media conference that he was on his way to Wales and leaving that night.

Presumably Henry is still in Wales only because he has not had time to finalise the sale of his house. But this time he will have no idea about his next rugby destination after he and his latest employer parted company.

It seems the split was hastened by Henry. After Wales' latest rugby calamity, the 54-10 loss to Ireland, the general committee of the Welsh Rugby Union was due today to discuss whether Henry should continue with the last 20 months of his five-year coaching contract.

Instead Henry yesterday sat down with senior members of that union and when he left the discussion, he was the former coach of Wales. A much wealthier man no doubt, but a coach without portfolio.

Henry may have offered his resignation but it would have been at a decent price. All these premature exits are the same.

Even earning an annual wage of £250,000 ($850,000) could not persuade Henry about the merits of staying on.

For the best part of three years Henry felt the Welsh union had let him down. The administration at club and national level was erratic, the players lacked skills and fitness. Rugby in Wales - as he said shortly before the latest loss to Ireland - was a "shambles".

From this side of the world it is difficult and presumptuous to decide where the blame for the Welsh rugby decay should lie. But as far back as the last World Cup, Henry was struggling with his new career in Wales.

He did not like the way supporters and media could label him the Great Redeemer and then in a nano-second deride his work.

Apparently fellow New Zealander Steve Hansen will be caretaker coach for Wales' game against France with help from former Waratahs technical adviser Scott Johnson.

Henry will leave with two major stains on his coaching CV.

After significant success with Auckland and the Blues, Henry's record with Wales and the Lions was not so flash.

The Grannygate episode with Shane Howarth and Brett Sinkinson did not reflect well on the taciturn coach. The rapid introduction of league star Iestyn Harris last year was also a curious move.

There were accusations from some players about his charm management levels on the Lions tour and lately, many commentators, former Welsh greats and even the Welsh union's vice-chairman lambasted Henry.

He has been defended by others like Lions skipper Martin Johnson, Welsh skipper Scott Quinnell and Ieuan Evans.

"It would be all too easy for the Welsh Rugby Union to listen to some of the pundits this week and sack Graham Henry, but they have to ask themselves what their options are if they choose to do that," Johnson wrote in his internet column.

"I know Graham well from the Lions tour last year, and when he came to Wales originally, he came as one of the best coaches in the world. Welsh rugby is hard work - it comes with a lot of baggage from the history they have."

But yesterday even though it is understood most of the Welsh union wanted Henry to stay, the coach had had enough. He was realistic to know his tenure was becoming increasingly divisive for Welsh rugby. It was best to leave before that discord went out of control.

Advice was sought, arrangements were made, the mutual exit agreed on.

Henry will likely return to New Zealand where, if he wanted to have a tilt at Super 12 or national squads, he would have to complete some NPC or development squad work.

Which still leaves Wales with a New Zealand coach and no change to the prospects of a defeat by France next weekend.