Back in the Hot Seats

All Blacks head coach Graham Henry and his two assistants Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen have been re-appointed for an extended two seasons until the end of the 2011 World Cup. “Graham, Wayne and Steve are outstanding coaches. They have a formidable record and we hold them in very high regard,” NZRU chairman Jack Hobbs said in a statement. “We agreed the time was right to consider the next two years, and the re-appointment reflects our confidence in them.” The trio were first appointed in 2004 and have built an imposing record, winning 57 of the 66 test matches they have been in charge of. Under their guidance, the All Blacks have won the Tri-Nations four times, completed a 3–0 series win against the British and Irish Lions and twice achieved the ‘grand slam’.