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Henry accepts RWC criticism
17/04/2008 10:53 - (SA)
Wellington - All Blacks coach Graham Henry has accepted that his controversial conditioning programme was a factor in the team's quarter-final loss at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
An independent review, conducted by lawyer Mike Heron and sports administrator Don Tricker on behalf of the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU), concluded that the programme contributed to New Zealand's 20-18 defeat by France in Cardiff last year.
The NZRU, at Henry's request, removed 22 players from the first half of the 2007 Super 14 competition to work on their fitness before the World Cup.
While this did increase the players' athleticism, it was not well managed and a lack of communication between the NZRU and Super 14 teams was highlighted in the 47-page report.
"I underestimated that impact (on New Zealand rugby), quite frankly," Henry told reporters on Thursday. "Obviously that's a mistake - how it was implemented and when it was implemented.
"We've got to find ways that that doesn't happen in the future.
"(But) this report says conditioning is imperative. It's just fitting it in, making sure that we implement it correctly."
While the report suggested a conditioning programme would be more beneficial in World Cup year during the All Blacks' domestic international programme from June to August, Henry said he would not recommend withdrawing players from Tests.
South Africa and France sent under-strength sides to New Zealand last year, resting key players before the World Cup.
NZRU chairperson Jock Hobbs said the board supported Henry and chief executive Steve Tew.
"We are very sorry we failed in Cardiff and are sorry at the disappointment and frustration it has caused supporters and fans," Hobbs said.
The report also said a lack of "quality game time" during the home Tests in 2007 against weakened touring teams and poor quality opposition during the World Cup pool phase contributed to the loss.
The performance of referee Wayne Barnes and his touch judges during the quarter-final was also cited as a factor.
Barnes did not award a penalty against France in the second half of the match and the officials missed a blatant forward pass in the French side's winning try.
Henry refused to be drawn on Barnes's influence on the result, choosing to emphasise that he felt the French had played well.
The report identified a breakdown in the "leadership group" on the field due to a rash of late injuries and selections, which resulted in failure to make the right decisions at crucial times.
It suggested that while there was no complacency within the team's management and leadership group leading into match, the focus appeared to be beyond the quarter-final.
"There remained a sense to us that the All Blacks, coaches and management were looking past the quarter-final," the report said.
"(However) the RWC finals are knock-out matches and occur only once in four years. Professional sport is not 'fair' and results cannot be guaranteed."
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