By Lestyn
December 27 2003

Graham Henry last night completed his transformation from sacked Wales coach to All Blacks boss in under two years. Henry was the only alternative to outgoing John Mitchell, who despite only guiding New Zealand to the World cup semi finals was still shown the door.

Who would have thought it? After Henry’s resignation after Wales’s record defeat at the hands of Ireland in Dublin, many believed the former schoolteachers days were over in international rugby, and the chances of coaching his home country were virtually zero.

The bitter battle between Henry and the NZRFU looked to have made Henry’s dream impossibility, but after overseeing the success of the Blues and Auckland in the Super 12 and NPC respectively, all has been forgiven.

Mitchell’s dismissal continues the trend, which has seen All Black coaches sacked after every World cup with the exception of the 1987 tournament which of course they won. Had England done the same to Clive Woodward after Jannie de Beer dropped them out in 1999, I doubt they would be celebrating at the moment.

Henry will always be remembered as the “Great Redeemer” despite the dire end to his reign, in particular “that” win at Wembley over England.

Should he last the full two years of his contract, he will go down in history as the first former Lions coach to face up to them as coach of a hosting union. If the Lions opt for Woodward in two years time, it really will spice the series up even more, after the England coach’s criticisms back in 2001 of Henry’s appointment and player management.