KEY POINTS:
A declaration in Monday's newspaper that I will never support an All Black side coached by Graham Henry has sparked a massive response.
As I suspected, it was an issue which was simmering under the surface, one that needed letting out. And as the opening test draws close, my views remain undiminished - or even stronger.
This All Black team no longer represents a rugby nation - instead it has become the personal play thing of administrators and coaches who are trying to redeem their reputations rather than accept that they made a hash of the 2007 World Cup campaign. A place in the final against South Africa was there for the taking in France, and the Henry supporters conveniently forget how weak the opposition was in that tournament.
In the process of covering their tracks, the New Zealand Rugby Union has handed Robbie Deans - potentially the finest rugby coach by some distance we have ever produced - to our smart transtasman rivals.
Others clearly disagree, although the opposing argument appears based on blind patriotism - with blind being the key word. I still find it appalling that the brilliant Deans is not in charge of our test side now.
As you might gather - and the following responses to the column also show this - middle ground is in short supply on this topic.
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Stick with convictions
Sir, I am disappointed in the attacks on your journalist Chris Rattue for his courageous publication of his summation of the current rugby union and coach.
Graham Henry had the gall to state that he has only had support for his work yet Chris's opinion is far more representative of what the majority of real rugby fans have expressed. We despise Henry and his conceit and for our best coach to be lost to Australia is an unpardonable error for the Union. Unfortunately cabals happen and those lone voices are part of that toadying group.
I hope Rattue sticks with his convictions.
Chris Dunn, Kohimarama
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Should have been axed
Please pass on my congratulations to Chris Rattue for his article regarding the Maybe Blacks. It captures the mixed emotions I now feel to the All Blacks when coached by Graham Henry - full support for the team, balanced by frustration at the presence of Henry and the administration that reappointed him.
He has shown he is an excellent coach over the last four years, however he asked to be made accountable for all his policies and the outcome of the World Cup, and he should have been axed, particularly when we had a great replacement in Robbie Deans.
Well done Chris.
Glenn
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Horan's wise words
It's worth noting a famous comment by two-time World Cup winning Wallaby Tim Horan (more World Cups than any New Zealander has won so worth taking on board).
When asked if the Wallabies were the best team in tournament when they won ('91 and '99), Tim replied: "No we were not the best team, but rather we were good enough to compete with any team, and that's all you can do." In rugby, due to the nature of the rules and the bounce of the ball, no team can guarantee a victory no matter how good you are. Things have to go your way too, you have to have a bit of luck.
Not only did things not go the ABs way, they went totally against them in that game. There are some things you can't control, and even by fielding arguably the greatest AB side ever in that game, there are too many variables in rugby for any side to be guaranteed of victory.
Matt Greer
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Appalling
It is appalling to hear that some people will start to support Aussie ahead of the All Blacks. Where's your loyalty gone? Deans is a great coach and good on him for venturing to Australia. But Henry is also an awesome coach with his All Black record being one of the best. Sure he didn't win the World Cup, or get second, or third, or fourth but when has sacking coaches won us a World Cup?
People need to get over the whole Deans/Henry debacle and accept the fact that Henry will continue to coach the ABs. The thought that some New Zealanders will start to support Aussie or not the All Blacks is pathetic! Get over it and come on the lads!
Mat (Dunedin North)
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Cheering the opposition
It really sticks in the craw, wherever that is, but I have come to believe that the best thing that can happen to AB rugby in the long term is for us to be utterly humiliated in the short term. I'll be cheering for Ireland, for England, for the Boers and (especially) for the Wallabies. It's an ugly feeling. But the three wise men dicking NZ rugby and getting rubber-stamped to do it all again is way, way uglier.
Go Robbie. Actually, come back Robbie.
Miguel Benoit (Grey Lynn)
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Get behind the boys
Deans was a crap coach when he was involved with the All Blacks. Anyway, what's done is done, let's get behind the boys.
Victor Randber (Mt Eden)
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Not prepared for big one
Henry may have had a good record but at the end of the day he hadn't prepared his boys for the big one and that's a serious concern. Who would appoint the same coach again? So I guess we have a bunch of monkeys running NZ rugby. How PC is NZ going?
Nat (Remuera)
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Corruption flourished
Henry is arrogant, and also proved he can be ignorant too. OK so it's all in the past now, but I agree with Chris Rattue - the point is corruption flourished at the top. That's where our rugby's at. I'm backing Deans all the way to the World Cup, it'll wake people up when he scoops it in style.
Pete (Beach Haven)
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Ego bigger than ability
Reluctantly, I partly agree with Chris Rattue. The whole coaching team should have tendered their resignation after the World Cup debacle. The fact that Henry accepted the Rugby Union's offer shows that his ego is a lot, lot bigger than his ability. Also the union executive were and still completely out of touch with reality in appointing him for a further term when Robbie Deans was available.
I shall continue to support our national team and eagerly look forward to meeting Australia in tests and if they take the Bledisloe Cup back I will not be at all surprised.
Gavin Crew (Manly)
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Build, not burn
NZ has a habit of firing coaches when we lose a cup. Henry has won a greater percentage of AB games than other AB coaches. It is time we stop moaning and firing the coach because we fail, and start building on the lessons we learn when we don't win.
Richard (Timaru)
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National pride
Bunch of sooks. Despite the winning record the ABs had leading into the World Cup it seems that a lot of people have written them off. It's the public's own expectations that set them up for the disappointment they're feeling now.
Even though the All Blacks didn't win the World Cup, a lot of people still think of them as the best team in the world anyway. Myself included. Come on New Zealand, get behind them and feel that national pride instead of looking for something to pick at.
Isn't whingeing the realm of the Poms and Aussies?
Rock on!
Adam (Ashburton)
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Out of touch
What Chris has said is so true. I am chairman of the local club and everyone there still cannot work out why Henry is still in charge. I have yet to come across anyone who is in support of him. If all the board had come up for renewal, the lot would have been given the flick. They have all lost touch with grassroots rugby.
The backlash from the public to an organisation still in charge after the worst result we have ever had is like a tidal wave. I for one cannot wait for Henry to go. Well written, Chris.
Bernie Kose (Warkworth)
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Selective memory
Hold the phone. Deans is a great selector? Let's review. Jonah Lomu dropped for Caleb Ralph and Christian Cullen losing his place to Ben Atiga. Crusaders are a strong side and will continue to win without him as they did in the past when he wasn't there.
Chris Goold (New South Wales)
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Proud All Black supporter
I'm proud to call myself a true All Black supporter. I may not agree with everything the All Black administration has done but I'm not a fairweathered rugby supporter that only likes rugby when we win. As for Chris Rattue. He needs to grow up and get a sense of perspective.
It's only a game, Chris - so stop getting so angry. You'll give yourself an ulcer.
Delia Smith (Wellington City)
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Rotate the coaches
Let's really put the rotation system in use and rotate the coaches every game - Henry can be the head coach for the first test, Wayne can be the coach for the second test and so on.
Jon Boy (Henderson)
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Toys out of cot
Like many I was disappointed to see Deans overlooked for the AB position, but I'm even more disappointed to read so many "supporters" deserting the All Blacks. This is tantamount to throwing the toys out of the cot.
Hard to imagine supporters of Manchester United, the Boston Red Sox or Collingwood reacting in the same way - true fans support the team, regardless. That's not blind adulation, it's something called maturity.
Just out of interest, can anyone provide the primary source of Henry's "judge me on the World Cup" quote? I'm guessing not - especially not one of the Stephen Jones-wannabes we have masquerading as rugby writers in this country.
Marty F (Roslyn)
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Lessons not learned
A young South African told me he was ecstatic when he found out Henry had been re-appointed. Why I asked? He told me he had seen most of the post-World Cup interviews and as far as he was concerned Henry and Co. had learned nothing. Personally I agree.
Graham Hansen (Howick)
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Accept it
I'm not having any of the crap previously written here by people with little knowledge of the game or our country. It's time to move on from the World Cup and support the All Blacks. Deans has the Wallabies, Masaga and Read were not selected, and Evans made his decision to play off-shore. Accept it and move on. Go the All Blacks!
Steve E (Porirua East)
