Recently re-selected All Black coach, Graham Henry, visited Victoria to run coaching clinics with schools...and give his wife a holiday as she'd never seen Canada. Graham held an open session for the local rugby community and we got to see him put St Michaels University School First XV through their paces (see photo). The boys performed well, perfecting drills designed to help players develop vision so they learn which gap to attack.Graham then asked for questions from the crowd, and the All Black loss in the quarterfinals of the recent world cup inevitably came up. Graham diplomatically referred to it involving "circumstances beyond our control". So I guess the ref's mental blanks are now officially an "Act of God". At the dinner in his honour later, Graham added they'd decided to stop whining about it. Though, he did say he thought the laws of the game should be simplified, and lamented that the NZRFU just can't compete with the big bucks offered by European Clubs now.
After the coaching session, a few of us lucky Caniwis got to meet the man some regard as the luckiest man in NZ. He was pleased to meet some fellow countrymen so far from home, and we had a good chat. Caniwi Steve Inglis made himself available for the All Blacks as a utility back (see photo). Next stop for Graham was a Vancouver Canucks' game. So expect some big hits and ice hockey moves to freshen the All Black game this year. Thanks for making time for us in your busy schedule, Graham. All the best for claiming the elusive silverware back home in 2011.
