Rugby: When does the charm start?

Graham Henry didn't say no but the NZRU did. Photo / Getty Images

God bless the NZRU. Last weekend, we carried a story on a charm offensive by the NZRU after they realised what rugby has been doing wrong.

One of the measures being taken, according to CEO Steve Tew, was that All Black coach Graham Henry had been told he had to brush up his image; to be less grumpy and less like a headmaster.

A Herald on Sunday reporter rang Henry. He answered his phone while fishing. No, he knew nothing about being told to be less grumpy but didn't rule out an interview.

He asked the reporter to go through the NZRU communications people to set it up. However, the NZRU comms folk said no. Interesting charm offensive.

One of the key people says he knows nothing about it and then the NZRU decline an interview. Go figure.