A majority of New Zealanders support the reappointment of Graham Henry as All Blacks coach, although he recently led the team their worst performance in Rugby World Cup history, a survey shows.
The survey, conducted by URM research and released on Tuesday, shows 61% of New Zealand approved of the New Zealand Rugby Union’s decision last week to reappoint Henry for a two-year term.
Henry became the first All Blacks coach to retain his job after a Rugby World Cup defeat, holding out a challenge for his position from successful Canterbury Crusaders coach Robbie Deans.
The URM survey showed support for Henry declined with age. Henry’s reappointment was approved by 74% of respondents aged under 30 but only 51% of those over 60.
Opposition to Henry was strongest in Christchurch, Robbie Deans’s home town, but 57% of those polled in the South Island city were in favour of Henry’s reappointment.
The survey asked respondents to state why they thought the All Blacks had lost to France, 20-18, in the tournament quarterfinals. The main reasons given were the French defence, the referee, the All Blacks’ lack of composure in the last 10 minutes and the lack of competitive matches in pool play. — Sapa-AP