KEY POINTS:
No All Black coach should be sacked for failing to win the World Cup. The history of New Zealand rugby confirms this approach is not only irrational but unsuccessful.
Graham Henry and his assistants, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith, therefore, deserved a fair hearing from the rugby union, during which they could deliver their verdict on the quarter-final loss to France.
This having been done, the union has decided not to reappoint Henry's team but to invite applications for the job. Clearly, this indicates a lack of faith in Henry's ability to fashion a winning strategy. The union cannot have been impressed with his view that there had been nothing wrong with this year's campaign, and the attachment of blame to a hapless English referee. Clearly, the union should, therefore, have acted decisively to end Henry's tenure.
The failure to do this has introduced complications into what should have been a simple equation. Hansen, in particular, is in an invidious position. Henry's lieutenants appear ready to be loyal to him to the end. They have indicated it will be all in or all out. But that denies Hansen the chance to put his case for the coaching job based on credentials that were burnished by the display of the All Black forwards at the World Cup.
The obvious solution is for Henry to opt out. That would leave Hansen free to compete with Robbie Deans, the leading contender for the job based on his success with the Crusaders in Super 14 competition.
This may not sit neatly with Henry. He can point to an outstanding record, including guiding the All Blacks to victory in 42 of 48 tests. But he also asked to be judged on the All Blacks' performance at the World Cup. The rugby union has done that. In reality, all that remains to be decided is the new coach.
