"I think I'm talking at a lunch or dinner or something then going fishing the next day! That's the big incentive, catching those fish mate!
"I think there's a bit of socialising which is always good ... beers, a bit of chat."
With the club fending off the need to amalgamate with other clubs over the last 140 years, Waipu RFC club stalwart and former North Auckland representative Phil Halse says he hopes it can "continue to get another 50 [years] behind us".
"A lot of clubs meet milestones through amalgamations. We're a stand-alone club, we've been able to remain as Waipu RFC, so that's a huge milestone," he says.
With the Nelson RFC, established in 1868, said to be the oldest "rugby football" club in New Zealand, Halse admits there is a grey area around who rounds out the top three, especially with Christchurch Football Club staunch about their status as the "Oldest New Zealand Football Club". Despite this, Waipu RFC ranks within the top three and is often referred to as the second oldest in most circumstances, depending on how you look at it.
"There's a lot of rugby clubs, and a bit of conjecture there, but we're certainly one of the oldest."
Privy to the changing dynamics of the rugby club scene in New Zealand during his lengthy coaching career, Herny acknowledges that the challenges facing clubs these days aren't easy.
"You know, club rugby, with the change to professionalism, probably doesn't have the same profile as it used to have say 15 to 20 years ago."
Widely acknowledged for instilling the successful culture, mana and unity present in the current All Blacks line-up, Henry says the secret is "pretty simple really".
"I think that what they're [Waipu] trying to do is establish some pretty strong culture there, and it's obviously something that has been special for a long time.
"It's the people involved that make something special, so it's a group commitment to do their job as best they can, and everybody has to adhere to that commitment, whatever it is.
"That's what the All Blacks have done. They've made a commitment to a philosophy and they don't bend from it - everybody gives 100 [per cent]. With any sporting team that wants to achieve ... each individual's got to make a commitment to the team first."
Testament to the strong support from its local surrounds, Waipu head premier coach Mark Wells says it's a no-brainer as to how the club has survived for so long.
"It's certainly the volunteers and supporters that make the club tick ... I imagine that's how it's been going for so long. It's never amalgamated, it's just a strong club.
"Waipu's the oldest club in Northland ... it's been here for a long time and we're going to be here for a longer time, but we've just got to get the little bits right."
Keen to capitalise on 'Ted's' visit to the North, Wells hopes the wider community can pull something out of the day as well.
"Anything that he's got to say we'll listen to," Wells says.
"Something that we really want to improve at Waipu is the culture. And get everyone pulling in the right direction.
"Come down and enjoy the day with Graham Henry. Have a drink with Graham at the rugby club, even if you're not coming to the dinner come down and see him during the day," he adds.
"When are you ever going to catch up with Graham Henry, you know?"
