All Blacks: Coaches get the thumbs up

Leading Australian sports psychologist Dr Clark Perry says he would have re-hired Graham Henry and his All Black coaching sidekicks as they continue to impress as coaches willing to learn.

Perry also scotched the suggestion that coaches who have been in the same job for many years tend to become less successful as players get too used to them and their approach.

Perry has been Australia's Olympic psychologist across four Olympics, has worked with the Wallabies, Brumbies, Waratahs, plus the crack Australian swimming team.

He was credited with saving Olympic gold medallist Petria Thomas' swimming career after a long struggle with depression and suicidal tendencies.

Perry is also a fan of Deans and what he is bringing to the Wallaby set-up.

"I think the structure and make-up of Wallaby rugby previously meant that Robbie came into an environment that needed greater flexibility - and I think he and his players are thriving on that."

But Perry said he would also have re-hired Henry and co and spoke particularly highly of Henry and Wayne Smith.

"I have a lot of respect for both of them because they are so open to what is around them and what they can learn.

"A lot of coaches get to the top and think that they got there because of who they are and they don't need to listen to anybody; they know what to do.

"Those two aren't like that. I met them at a coaching workshop I ran in New Zealand and I was amazed at their curiosity and willingness to learn; their enthusiasm - they just peppered me with questions. I would have no problem in re-appointing those two gentlemen," said Perry.

But Henry and co have already been in harness for five years - surely the approach and words of any coach flags after too long in command?

"No, length of tenure has no effect," said Perry quoting examples of the NRL's Wayne Bennett and the NFL's Vince Lombardi as well as other winning coaches.

"It's all about how you re-invent yourself, how much you can learn from things around you for the needs of the team and it's also about recruitment of talent - and my experience of those guys is that they are very good at those things."

But wasn't Deans showing that "a new broom" worked wonders for a team?

"Again, I think there are different circumstances surrounding the Wallabies than the All Blacks.

"Do the All Blacks need a different style of coach? Only time will tell."