Paul Lewis: Henry loyalty is misplaced

Graham Henry. Photo / Getty Images

Graham Henry's response ("that's just the nature of some people in New Zealand") when asked about the criticism of first five Stephen Donald was understandable - if unacceptable.

Henry, under pressure, remarked on the nature of those making the criticism rather than focusing on the issue. It was clear from his other comments that Henry knew how poorly Donald had played but, siege mentality being what it is, he played the loyalty card.

"He's [Donald] played some outstanding football lately but he had a difficult 20 minutes on Saturday," said Henry.

"He knows that, we know that, but I think he's good enough to overcome that and it'll be interesting to see how he handles that."

Loyalty is one thing. Commendable, even. Blind loyalty is quite another.

No one expects the All Black coach to come out and say: "Well, I thought he played like my grandma's cat - and she's blind and pees on the mat." But having a poke at what they and those close to them like to think is the 'lunatic fringe' denies the fact that most of New Zealand was telling Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen that Donald was not of All Black quality ... even before he was chosen.

Not to put too fine a point on it, Donald's return to the All Blacks was the most unwelcome comeback since Jimi Hendrix's vomit. Much of New Zealand, including our own Richard Loe and Gregor Paul, has expressed this sentiment for weeks, months, years. The only people who didn't seem to see it were the All Black selectors.

The problem is caused when someone who is not up to it is selected - and then persisted with. It's not Donald's fault; it is those who are trying to make him what he patently is not.

Please don't give me that dreadful tosh about Piri Weepu's injury being a factor in Donald's selection. All right, Weepu is a highly reliable goalkicker - and Colin Slade was kicking only at about 77 per cent in the ITM Cup; maybe not enough for comfort when playing with the big boys.

But there isn't a selector on the planet who, faced with a gap caused by injury, says: "I know - let's select someone not up to the job." No, fact was, the All Black selectors believed in Donald - and they have believed in him for 20 tests now. They are about to believe in him for more. If the jungle drums are right, he will start against Scotland next week.

The Scots are much improved but, if Henry and Co trumpet Donald's worth if he plays well against what is a distinctly second-tier rugby nation, more vomit could be on the way. Donald's problem is that he plays well enough against all but the top tier. There comes a point when even the most ardent supporter can see the forest through the trees.

This must go close to being one of the great selection blunders in All Black history. There have been plenty - but few continued for so long.

I could think of only three other All Blacks who similarly bore the brunt of a nation's disapproval - flanker Mark Carter, No 8 Xavier Rush and fullback Colin Farrell. All were pilloried. None lasted anywhere near 20 tests. The weight of public opinion pushed down hard on them and those selecting them.

Henry and Co have been brave in selecting Donald - and they have had, by any measure, a magnificent season so far. Their All Black team, even accepting the reverse in Hong Kong, still looks primed to do the business at RWC 2011.

But brave ... ? Or stubborn? Donald was a mistake. Henry is trying to be loyal and have the courage of his convictions but may just end up doing more damage to the player.

The All Blacks may yet regret not winning that Hong Kong test. Some are attempting to pass it off as a 'nothing' game. Yet it was the time when Robbie Deans' Wallabies realised they could do it. Danger, Will Robinson, danger ...

It wasn't the selectors' only mistake. Weepu's loss doesn't explain why they went for three halfbacks and only two first fives in the squad when Dan Carter's back-up was more crucial. Most believed Colin Slade and Aaron Cruden would go on tour with Carter, battling it out to see who would be deputy.

Weepu faces a job to get back to pre-injury heights but we still have Brendon Leonard to be considered next year at halfback, as well as Andy Ellis and Alby Mathewson. Why not leave one of them at home and take the talented Slade?

Take a goalkicking expert and coach the bejesus out of him on tour to get his confidence and experience up.

Most knowledgeable rugby judges believe Cruden is not yet ready to be Carter's understudy - underscored by the coaches saying lovey-dovey things about Cruden before dropping him.

Alternatively, leave one of the crocked hookers at home - like Andrew Hore - and take only two instead of three. That frees up the numbers to take three halfbacks and three first fives.

Carter's deputy remains an item of horror for most New Zealand rugby fans. They keep seeing the recurring nightmare of Danny limping off ... and Donald coming on. Most equate this with things like: a tsunami; the black plague; the return of The Apprentice New Zealand.

There will be some hate mail about us being nasty to that nice Donald boy. Forget it. Unless you can win the World Cup by charming people, being nice isn't relevant. International sport takes no prisoners - it is do or die, sadly.

I don't give a badger's tadger if Danny's Deputy is a cross-dresser with carnal knowledge of crash test dummies; someone who has a corgi sandwich and then belches at the Queen. Three years have gone. One year left, almost, to find a decent back-up for Carter. Maybe Steve Hansen had it right. We'll just name the team so late that none of the opposition notice that we haven't got one.