Sunday, September 23, 2012

Book: Graham Henry Final Word

I've always been a loyal fan of Ted, Shag, and Smithy, now I understand much more why.
I enjoy rugby as much as this team have tried to make it enjoyable to watch, fast, creative, demanding of the highest level of fitness.
The inappropriate open-cast groanings of Deaker and Lose after the 2007 World Cup failure only made me more loyal to the game, and appreciative of the judgement of the NZRFU Board in the coaching team's reappointment.
There's been a lot of criticism levelled at Henry for alleging match fixing over the 2007 RWC semi, but it only shows up those who havent actually read the book, he dosent. Mainly the chapter is an analysis of why the AB's failed, at the time it looked to me like the AB's couldnt adapt a game plan quick enough to cope with the 2nd-half French attack, we were even left wondering if Richie was up to the captain's task for not being able to do so. But the high misdemeanour count Henry points out the French were allowed to get away with would account for the AB's apparent stalling the way they did.
I searched the internet for full video of the game, to see for myself, and while pretty near any game you search for can be found, this particular game was pulled from view by the RWC Board on 'copyright' grounds.
Funny that.
The way the AB's game has evolved since is indicative of how the lesson learned has been applied, when you watch the 2nd half highlights the most remarkable thing is the exhilaration of the French game, and in some ways you couldnt hold it against referee Barnes for letting the game flow, even for the forward pass.
But not the rucking errors left un-penalised. More recent commentators have called it "brain freeze" on the part of referees not quite competent for games of this speed, Bryce Lawrence with the last RWC Wallabies v Springboks clash another case in point.
All the world loves a conspiracy, but in 99% of cases its more down to incompetence than conspiracy.
As with most high achiever's bios, the recurring theme is about a lifetime of application, dedication, and being as excellent as you can.
Salute Sir Graham. He knows more about the game than 99% of his critics.

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