Henry says England coach deserves another chance

Martin Johnson. Photo / AP

All Blacks coach Graham Henry savoured the acclaim from 250,000 people on New Zealand's World Cup celebration parade - then warned RFU kingmakers that England's best hope of winning the trophy in 2015 may be to retain Martin Johnson.

Following their tense, 8-7 win against France in Sunday's final, Henry's triumphant squad took to the streets in utes to lap up an outpouring of adulation from ecstatic crowds.

Once captain Richie McCaw had carried the Webb Ellis Cup above his head along Queen Street, Auckland's main road, Henry reflected on what had lain behind his side's success. His key message was the need for stability and continuity in order to build sustained progress.

Henry was reappointed as All Blacks coach - as were his assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith - after the debacle of a quarter-final exit at the last World Cup four years ago. He believes the NZRU's ability to consider the bigger picture was crucial in laying the foundations of this landmark achievement and hopes that other unions will take heed.

Johnson's position as England manager is in doubt after the national team were knocked out of this tournament by France at the last-eight stage, but if he shows a willingness to continue, Henry believes he should be given the opportunity.

'He's a top man,' he said. 'I was very impressed with him when he was captain of the 2001 Lions (coached by Henry).

'Continuity is important. You learn a lot from those situations and if you put new people in there they have to learn the whole thing all over again.

'So if Martin Johnson is seen as the man to take England forward, I wouldn't think you would want to deny him a second chance.'

In emphasising his point, Henry pointed to the dynasty established at Manchester United in another footballing code - notwithstanding the heavy home defeat by City on Sunday.

'Sometimes it pays to keep the faith,' he said. 'Look at someone like Sir Alex Ferguson - he has done pretty well, hasn't he?

'But there are a lot more who have been given the bullet early, only for the people who shoot them to realise maybe there isn't a quick fix waiting around the next corner.

'It would have been the easiest thing in the world for the New Zealand Rugby Union to have shown me the door after we went out in the quarter-finals in 2007. But they gave me another opportunity, and I like to think their faith and trust have been repaid.

'Maybe there's a lesson to be learned there.'

Hansen, who succeeded Henry as coach of Wales in 2002, emphasised his own belief in the benefits of continuity - hardly surprising as he is hoping to be appointed as the All Blacks' new head coach in the aftermath of this World Cup.

'I don't know what the process is but I'd like to have a crack at it,' he said.

'It (continuity) is what won us the tournament - that accumulation of experience.'

While Henry will visit old friends in Wales ahead of the December 3 Test against Australia at the Millennium Stadium before taking charge of the Barbarians for their clash with the Wallabies at Twickenham, All Black stand-off Stephen Donald - who kicked the winning penalty on Sunday - will head to Bath to start his new life in English rugby.

Asked if he was still comfortable with his decision to move to the West Country in the light of his decisive role in the World Cup final, he said: 'Life throws you some curve balls here and there. It's a bit of a rollercoaster. It's happened, that's life.

'At the time (of signing a contract) I was out of the picture as far as this goes and that made my decision a lot easier. Now it is what it is.'

England players, meanwhile, have been sent questionnaires as the investigation into their troubled trip intensifies. They are being asked to give their views on a campaign blighted by a number of embarrassing incidents before France beat Johnson's team in the quarter-final.

- Daily Mail