KEY POINTS:
The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) has swatted aside suggestions that the reappointment today of Graham Henry as All Blacks coach was a done deal and lacked transparency.
Board acting chairman Mike Eagle said the appointment process had been an exhaustive one and that Henry simply boasted better
credentials than rival candidates Robbie Deans, Ian Foster and Colin Cooper, despite his World Cup failure.
Critics of the decision believed Henry's return was always the favoured option of the board, rendering yesterday's interview process redundant.
"The process is no different to any other All Black coaching appointment we've made in the past," Eagle said.
"I reject the statement that it's a cover-up."
Eagle pointed to an NZRU coaching review two weeks ago which agreed the position should be made contestable.
The 90-minute interview of each of the four candidates yesterday was the decisive factor, Eagle said, stating that all were quality options.
Henry's argument last night was compelling because of the quality of his existing assistants Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith, Eagle said, along with their history of success before October's World Cup quarterfinal exit.
"It has proved over the last four years that they can get the results," Eagle said.
"Disappointing obviously that they lost the quarterfinal but overall they've done a magnificent job."
Eagle said the existing coaches had also built up important relationships with NZRU management, Super 14 franchises and Air NZ Cup unions.
"All of those things worked together to sway it their way," he said.
"The board made a decision based on those facts yesterday...it's totally transparent."
Regular board chairman Jock Hobbs wasn't involved in the process as he is a brother-in-law of Deans.
The board comprised Eagle, Warwick Syers, Paul Quinn, Graham Mourie, Mark Peters, Ivan Haines, Ken Douglas and Bill Thurston.
Only Thurston wasn't involved in the decision to support Henry's controversial Super 14 conditioning programme, a strategy Henry today admitted had failed.
"In that regard the New Zealand board accepts it was jointly responsible and accountable for the result and the planning that went into the campaign," Eagle said.
"We are all committed to learning the key lessons that will be explored in an independent (World Cup campaign) review."
- NZPA