Rugby: Winning only way to secure World Cup coach job

Steve Tew. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Having failed to grasp the impact of re-appointing Graham Henry in 2007, the New Zealand Rugby Union are putting off forming a plan on how they will decide who should coach the All Blacks next year through to the World Cup.

Chief executive Steve Tew says the issue hasn't been discussed yet by the NZRU board. He also hinted there were more pressing issues and that the coaches would have to wait until the board was good and ready.

The sub-text here is that the best thing for Henry is to carry on producing a winning team and that will make the whole business much easier for everyone.

The board would love that. They misjudged the public reaction in 2007. Except back then, it was the outcome rather than the process that left pockets of disgruntled fans.

This time, the outcome is not going to be the problem. Could anyone really make a serious case to say Henry is not the best coach in New Zealand?

For an old dog, he has shown himself smart enough to learn some new tricks. The bounce-back last year was hugely impressive, maybe even his best 12 months at the helm.

He was under pressure. He made a terrible mess of the game plan in Sydney and had to re-think quickly. The response was emphatic and a bit like Madonna, Henry is fast becoming the king of re-inventing himself.

More important, though, is this: in 63 tests in five years under Henry the All Blacks have lost only eight. Enough said.

The outcome is not up for debate. But what about the process? When and how are the questions.

The answer to 'when' is the end of the Tri Nations. Keep the pressure on Henry to deliver results. If, and most likely when, the All Blacks deliver, then the 'how' becomes straightforward. Re-appoint Henry for another two years ahead of the end of year tour. No contest. No debate. No mucking about. Best of all - there will be no complaints.

The only uncertainty in the coaching story is whether assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith want to stay where they are through to 2011.

The NZRU asked them earlier this year to declare their interest in carrying on beyond 2009 but they have not made their feelings public.

Smith looked seriously at joining Welsh club the Ospreys last year but was persuaded to stay in New Zealand by a group of senior players who didn't want him to leave.

He was also able to reduce some of his peripheral commitments that had become burdensome.

Hansen, too, covets more than his current post. He applied for the Crusaders job last year and was offered it subject to approval from the NZRU board. Permission was denied - it wasn't realistic to think he could do two jobs.

Maybe, though, both men have come so far now, are such an integral part of the package that they have no choice but to stay on, to see through what they started.

They can ignore it all they like, try to pretend it's no big deal, but we all know that the World Cup is looming. Given the way the last campaign collapsed at the critical hour, redemption will come with victory in 2011.

Whatever animosity existed in 2007, however much people resented Henry's reappointment after the quarter-final exit, all will be forgotten and all will be forgiven if the World Cup is won in 2011.