Graham Henry

Graham Henry ( born June 8, 1946 in Christchurch ) is a New Zealand Rugby Union coach, and was from 2003 to 2011 head coach of the All Blacks.

Early Career

After completing his schooling at Christchurch Boys High School in his hometown of Christchurch, Henry studied at the University of Otago Sports and graduated in 1969 with diploma. He then became a teacher for sports and geography. He taught at two schools that were known for their rugby union teams, the Auckland Grammar School and the Kelstons Boys' High School in Auckland. In parallel, he studied from 1973 to 1979 Education at Massey University. In 1982 he became deputy headmaster of Kelstons Boys' High School and in 1987 headmaster. He had held this job until 1996, then he became a professional rugby coach.

His first role as a manager of a professional team at the Auckland Rugby Football Union 1992 until 1997. During his tenure, this team won the National Provincial Championship ( NPC ) in each year 1993 to 1996. Henry was also coach of the Auckland Blues in the Super 14 and won this title in 1996 and 1997, and finished second in 1998.

Wales and Lions

After he was not considered when considering the head coach of the All Blacks, Henry left New Zealand in 1998 and was coach of the Welsh national rugby union team. He was at that time the world's highest paid rugby union coach, with an income of £ 250,000. His success in Wales led to the nickname " The Great Redeemer " ( engl. the great Redeemer ); He won eleven times in a row all the major games.

Henry was coach of the 2002 British and Irish Lions and was the first coach who was not from their country. In 2003, he returned as coach of the Auckland Blues to New Zealand.

All Blacks

After the All Blacks had lost the semi-final of the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup against Australia, the site of the national coach was advertised. In addition to the incumbent John Mitchell Henry was the only candidate and was successful.

Trained by Henry All Blacks won 19 of 20 games to June 2007. Were correspondingly high expectations and the disappointment when New Zealand was eliminated in the Rugby Union World Cup 2007 quarter-final against France. This was the worst performance of the All Blacks in a World Cup. Henry was charged accordingly question. The position of the coach of the national team was announced again, but Henry was awarded in December 2007 highlighted the position of head coach for another two years, outperforming competitors Robbie Deans, the coach of the Australian national team was shortly thereafter.

After his re- appointment as national coach Richie McCaw made ​​Henry to captain the All Blacks. In October 2011 at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand Henry finally won the world title as a coach with the All Blacks. Man struck France in the final at Eden Park in Auckland 8-7. Henry said after the World Cup, his resignation as coach, his successor is the current assistant coach Steve Hansen.

Private life

Henry has his wife Raewyn, a netball coach, met at the university. The two have three children.