Brian Lochore | NZHistory, New Zealand history online Biography Brian Lochore Wairarapa born and bred, Brian James (BJ) Lochore won distinction as a player and administrator at school, club, provincial and national level. In 1959, not yet 20, he made his provincial debut against the touring British Lions. All Black honours followed in 1963. In an illustrious career in the black jersey he played a total of 68 matches. He was captain in 18 of the 25 test matches he played for his country. An outstanding no. 8 or lock, he was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 1999 and knighted the same year. Overlooked for the All Blacks in 1964, Lochore was recalled for the following year’s series against South Africa. From that point he became a permanent fixture in the national side until he retired from international play after the 1970 tour to South Africa (he played one test in 1971 to help out an injury-struck side).

In 1966 All Black coach Fred Allen appointed Lochore as All Black captain ahead of more experienced alternatives such as Colin Meads, Kel Tremain and Ken Gray. In his 18 tests in charge Lochore lost only three times – all in South Africa in 1970. When his playing days ended Lochore moved into coaching, initially with the Masterton club and from 1980 with Wairarapa-Bush . Under his guidance the union achieved promotion to the first division of the National Provincial Championship in 1981. He became an All Black selector in 1983 and coached the national team from 1985 to 1987, culminating with home success in the 1987 World Cup final . Lochore also managed the All Black team which narrowly lost the 1995 World Cup final to South Africa. Lochore played a significant role in the 1995 negotiations as rugby went professional. A split in world rugby seemed certain and many current All Blacks signed contracts with the Sydney-based World Rugby Competition (WRC).

Lochore’s mana in New Zealand rugby helped ensure that in the end the country’s leading players signed contracts with the New Zealand Rugby Union. The rival WRC soon collapsed. Lochore’s iconic status within New Zealand rugby has been acknowledged by the naming of one of the two cups contested in the Heartland Championship in his honour. By Steve Watters Oral History: The day the All Blacks grew up - Sport - NZ Herald News Covers sport across NZME's print, digital and radio brands. Oral History: The day the All Blacks grew up 4:18 PM Saturday Jun 25, 2016 SHARE: Rugby Historic Sport - Rugby All Blacks versus France, in Christchurch, New Zealand From left to right; Frano Botica (NZ), Philippe Sella (France), Arthur Stone (NZ), Eric Champ (France). Thirty years ago, a group of little-known players took on the might of France in a test at Christchurch, and won. Andrew Alderson looks back on a team that affectionately became known as the Baby Blacks.

The Backdrop On June 28, 1986, New Zealand rugby inadvertently eliminated complacency from All Blacks selection indefinitely, a move which set the team on the path to victory at the inaugural World Cup the following year. Known as the Baby Blacks, the 15 men took the field against Five Nations joint champions France on a sunny afternoon at Christchurch's Lancaster Park. Just four - captain David Kirk, Arthur Stone, Brian McGrattan and John Kirwan - had test experience. The French brimmed with caps. New Zealand's chances of victory were rated as minimal, reflected by a tepid 24,000 crowd. The prospect of an unsanctioned South African tour, after the official 1985 visit had been quashed in the courts, saw the majority of New Zealand's top players join The Cavaliers. They were banned for two tests. The scenario was a knock-on effect from the country's most divisive rugby experience five years earlier. Robert Muldoon's National government approved the entry of the Springboks, which saw an anti-apartheid movement clash with those who believed politics should stay out of sport. A school of thought claimed the divide-and-rule policy helped National win the general election.

This coincided with football reaching its zenith in New Zealand. The All Whites qualified for their first World Cup, to be held the following year in Spain in 1982. All Black rugby also had struggles on the field. An experienced contingent opted out of the 1983 tour to England and Scotland. That remains the only Northern Hemisphere tour in which New Zealand failed to win a test. Continued below. Adding to the intrigue, the country was beset by a barrage of anti-French sentiment after the Rainbow Warrior had been bombed by French terrorists the previous year at Auckland's Marsden Wharf, killing photographer Fernando Pereira. The Baby Blacks went about rejuvenating rugby's image in the public eye. The Build-up Dream Team Tipping David Kirk The Rainbow Warrior incident wasn't an issue for the players. It might have been topical around New Zealand, but we had a lot of respect for the French players... and still do. Next to the Australians, the best friends I've made in international rugby come from that French era. We respected them as sportspeople rather than associating them with the policies of a certain government. Sir Brian Lochore (All Blacks coach) It wasn't a question of motivation.

It was making sure our guys knew their tickers were just as big. Sean Fitzpatrick (All Blacks hooker) I recall being a reserve [for Auckland] in Christchurch and when we left the field the Cavaliers ran from the sheds to get to the airport. The trial teams were soon named. I was in the Possibles against Abo [Auckland team-mate Iain Abercrombie] in the Probables at Blenheim. I remember sitting in Wellington airport when the team was announced. I was in the reserves. Historic Sport: Rugby All Black Greg Cooper hammers another nail into the French coffin at Lancaster Park. 30 June 1986 New Zealand Herald Photograph. Brett Harvey (All Blacks flanker) There was a lot of media hype and I initially thought we were on a hiding to nothing. No one expected us to win. We were all practically new and it was nerve-wracking. Lochore Take Brett Harvey. He was thrust in miles ahead of where he'd ever been. He was a real country boy, a tough bugger. That's just what we needed, a man of few words but plenty of action. Harvey When I arrived, my confidence wasn't up.

But by Friday we all believed we were going to win. A lot of that was down to BJ [Lochore]. There was never any talk about just surviving. Lochore It was an incredible few days and a hell of a shock we couldn't pick frontline All Blacks. Many of the guys who went to that test had never seen one another before. We almost needed name tags. Fitzpatrick Few of us really knew each other. I was rooming with [fellow reserve] Joe Leota and we introduced ourselves. Then we caught up with Andy Earl at breakfast. Joe introduced me to Andy and said, 'oh, what was your name again, mate?' Lochore We arrived in Christchurch on Wednesday night which tended to be the rule in those days. We had our first training on the Thursday and I came away thinking, 'boy, we've got a problem'. Everyone was trying so hard but the young players were miles off the pace mentally. The lack of understanding meant there was a lack of flow, but I couldn't push them too hard with the game less than three days away. I did a lot of individual stuff with players, talked to them quietly during practice. We needed a simple pattern and tactics.

Harvey Andy Earl and I got to the first team talk early. The team had a dress code of black shoes etc but we didn't have anything. Hardly anyone even had a black blazer. Most of us wore provincial or emerging player blazers. Andy said, 'if they want us to wear black shoes, they can buy us some'. We walked in, but at least I'd shined my brown ones. Andy's looked like they hadn't seen polish for at least a couple of months. BJ looked over the front desk and frowned at us. I thought, 'that's not a good start'. Lochore The second training was much better. Most of the guys had calmed down. I could talk them through what we needed to achieve. The final run went well on Friday. Getting on the bus afterwards, it was noticeable they had started to weld together. Suddenly I thought, 'this is not a lost cause'. Fitzpatrick [First-choice hooker] Bruce [Hemara] popped a rib scrummaging. I remember going into the physio room and he had these needles stuck in all over his chest and I thought, 'Christ, you don't look too good'.

Then, blow me down, I was in my bedroom when BJ came in and said, 'you're starting on Saturday'. In those days you couldn't buy a replica jersey, and I went to get my first one from BJ's room. I walked in and saw what looked like the full 21 lying on the bed. My only reaction was, 'wow'. The Match Kirk I had at least been in the All Blacks, so was familiar with the environment and had captained Auckland for a couple of years. But that team talk was a specific situation with so many debuts. We didn't treat ourselves as a second-string team. We were the guys putting the jerseys on. It was our job to keep up a proud history. Fitzpatrick I remember standing in the changing room with the door slightly open. We were in a circle - we didn't man-hug in those days - listening to Kirky motivate us. I remember turning around and seeing the French stride past. There was Daniel Dubroca [the French captain and Fitzpatrick's opponent], Eric Champ, Philippe Sella and then [reserve] Laurent Rodriguez. We made eye contact and I was like, 'Oh. My. God'.

Philippe Sella (France centre) It felt strange to be playing such a different All Blacks team after the 1984 New Zealand tour [France lost 2-0]. We soon discovered there was no such thing as a Baby Blacks. It is always the All Blacks in front of you. Everyone told us it'd be easy for France to win because of the difference in experience but, if ever there was a case for it being 'on paper', it was there. Kirk People felt it was going to be a tall order, given the French were Five Nations champions. They had a big forward pack and were strong at the set piece, particularly the scrum. We knew we'd have to play a fast-paced game, be adaptable and keep the ball moving rather than get caught in forward exchanges. Fitzpatrick The first scrum we got absolutely hammered. It was like going through a washing machine for Grats [Brian McGrattan], Boro [Kevin Boroevich] and I. But good, old Boro. Every time he said, 'right, get up, and let's keep getting up'. We were getting turned and spat out, but we survived.

Sella It was difficult for them in the scrum but they had the better of us with their passing, carrying and kicking. Our forwards played well, but it wasn't the best of memories for our backline. Harvey When we got ahead, you sensed they thought, 'what's happening here?' because we kept defending so strongly. I knew what they meant about test rugby going quickly, though. I'd barely blinked and it was halftime. Kirk Mike Brewer's try was probably the key in terms of points on the board, and opening up a reasonable gap. It was a bit opportunistic and didn't come from a long build-up, but we had to take every chance. Greg Cooper also dropped a great goal from a tap penalty early. Sella We saw the sort of team we always see in New Zealand. They were involved, aggressive and struck a good balance between passing and kicking. We probably kicked too much, which didn't showcase our flair. I don't know why, but it was frustrating. A leader like David Kirk was a good man for his team-mates, Frano Botica played well, whether it was kicking drop goals or feeding Arthur Stone and Joe Stanley, and John Kirwan had a few good runs.

Historic Sport - Rugby All Blacks versus France, in Christchurch, New Zealand From left to right; Frano Botica (NZ), Philippe Sella (France), Arthur Stone (NZ), Eric Champ (France). The Aftermath Lochore Looking back, it was probably a watershed. Many of those players would've made it eventually, but they got an opportunity to have a crack at a younger age and many became great All Blacks over a period of time. Kirk A number of the Cavaliers were at the end of their careers so the chance to play South Africa was understandable, but others were no longer assured of their All Black careers. There was a degree of unhappiness or sense of unfairness about that in certain quarters that they weren't getting the breaks they deserved. That's an understandable emotional response but they had to fight their way back. My logic was that it was a rebel team, not an All Blacks team, and they were supporting a rotting regime. All the talk of money was a negative for me, too. I had a whole career in front of me, and I was going to build on it after rugby, so money wasn't a motivator. Lochore It was daunting, but satisfying afterwards.

I was exhausted at the end, despite not having played. It was a lot of mental pressure talking to each of them and giving them the confidence to play at that level. Harvey BJ never raised his voice or said a lot, but when he did, everyone shut up and listened. It was generally just common sense but it instilled confidence. Fitzpatrick Brian Lochore's ability to give us that confidence was phenomenal. Lochore The preparations were exceptional on the Friday and Saturday morning, especially the mental side of things, so I wasn't surprised they played to that level. Fitzpatrick Most of us played together again against Australia at Athletic Park, which we lost 13-12. I went to Mum and Dad's the following morning where the team for the second test in Dunedin was announced. The guy came on the radio and said, 'there are eight changes to the All Blacks'. I thought, 'that's good, I've still got a chance'. Then he said, 'the entire forward pack has been replaced'. I managed to stay in the reserves but thought, 'man, I'm lucky to be here'. Sella They had a lot of good young players. A year later many of them would be world champions...

against us again. Where Are They Now? Sir Brian Lochore lives in the Wairarapa and coached the All Blacks to victory at the inaugural World Cup the following year. David Kirk lives in Sydney and led the All Blacks to their 1987 World Cup win. The former Rhodes scholar and policy advisor to the Prime Minister is a qualified medical doctor, but is better known as a leader in the business community. Sean Fitzpatrick lives in the UK and recently became chairman of the Laureus Sports Foundation. He earned 92 All Black test caps and led the side to their first series win in South Africa. Brett Harvey lives in the Wairarapa and has a knack for training dogs. A knee injury meant the test against France was his sole cap. Philippe Sella is director of rugby and development at the Agen club and earned 111 caps for France. He played the All Blacks in 10 tests, winning three.

Fulltime: New Zealand 18 France 9 Halftime: New Zealand 12 France 6 Crowd: 24,000 Conditions: Fine weather and a firm surface Referee: Fred Howard (England) New Zealand at the Rugby World Cup Home > Events > Rugby > World Cup > Nations > New Zealand New Zealand at the World Cup New Zealand has participated in every Rugby World Cup since the first in 1987. New Zealand the most successful team at the World Cup - they were champions in at the inaugural World Cup in 1987, and again in 2011 and 2015. They have hosted the World Cup twice: in 1987 and in 2011 . They won the first ever World Cup in 1987 , and again won in 2011 and 2015 . They were runner's up in 1995 . In 1987, the New Zealand captain was David Kirk, with the coach Brian Lochore. The most points that have ever been scored against a team at a World Cup is 145 by New Zealand in a match against Japan in 1995.

Share: Brian Lochore, Rugby player • Biography & Facts Brian Lochore Rugby player Sir Brian James Lochore ONZ KNZM OBE (born 3 September 1940) is a former rugby union footballer and coach who represented and captained the New Zealand national team, the All Blacks. He played at number 8 and lock, as well as captaining the side 46 times (18 of those tests). In 1999, Lochore was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame.Lochore played domestic rugby for Masterton and Wairarapa, debuting for both in 1959. After playing six tests, including all four tests of the 1965 South African tour of New Zealand, he was selected as captain by coach Fred Allen for the Lions tour in 1966. He continued as captain until his retirement from playing in 1970 (although at the selectors request he returned to play one game in 1971 for an injury-hit All Black side).His involvement in the game did not end with his playing days. He coached Masterton before moving on to coach Wairarapa-Bush in 1980.

Lochore became an All Black selector in 1983 before taking the side to victory in the inaugural World Cup during his coaching tenure from 1985 to 1987. Lochore continued to be involved in All Black rugby, firstly managing the team in the 1995 World Cup, and later as one of the All Black selectors. He currently chairs the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust.Lochore was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for services to rugby football in the 1970 Queen's Birthday Honours. In the 1999 Queen's Birthday Honours he was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to sport and the community.The Lochore Cup, contested in New Zealand's domestic competition, the Heartland Championship, is named in his honour. On Waitangi Day (6 February) 2007, Lochore was inducted into the Order of New Zealand as an additional member; the Order of New Zealand is the country's highest honour.

Personal facts News Details | allblacks.com Sir Brian Lochore elected new Patron and Life Member of NZ Rugby allblacks.com 25 Apr 2013 Getty Images Rugby legend Sir Brian Lochore has been elected as the new Patron of New Zealand Rugby at today’s Annual General Meeting in Wellington. Sir Brian replaces Sir Wilson Whineray who passed away last year. The former All Blacks captain, coach and selector was also confirmed as a Life Member of the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) in recognition of the exceptional service he has given to New Zealand rugby. NZRU Chairman Mike Eagle said: “Sir Brian has had a long and deep involvement with New Zealand rugby and greatly deserves these honours. He brings tremendous knowledge and great respect to his new role of patron and I look forward to working closely with him.” Sir Brian said it was a great honour to be elected Patron. “I am incredibly humbled to be elected to this position. Rugby has been my life and I have had so many rich and rewarding experiences over many decades in the game and I hope as patron I can continue to make a valuable contribution to our great game.

“I am also very honoured to be awarded Life Membership.” Background on Sir Brian - Became All Black number 637 in 1963 and played 68 matches for the All Blacks until 1971, 46 of which were as captain. - Became All Blacks selector in 1983 and All Blacks coach two years later. Coached New Zealand in 1987 when the All Blacks won the inaugural Rugby World Cup. - Served as All Blacks Rugby World Cup campaign manager in 1995 - Has filled many other playing, coaching and administrative roles at club, provincial and national level. - Former Chairman of the Hillary Commission and the QEII National Trust - Was knighted for services to sport in 1999 and elevated to the Order of New Zealand in 2007. Brian Lochore, Sir - Speakers New Zealand.

One of many celebrity speakers available Brian Lochore, Sir Speakers NZ Homepage | Print version | Enquire now | < Back ï¿½Do things to the best of your ability and if thatï¿½s not good enough, youï¿½re not going to be lying in bed worried about it.ï¿½ Brian Lochore is one of New Zealand Rugbyï¿½s greats and represented New Zealand between 1963-71 - 68 matches and 24 tests. Brian grew up in the Wairarapa with aspirations to be a jockey, however, this was not to be and instead, he played tennis and achieved a high ranking at National level before becoming an All Black. He made his rugby debut as an 18 yr old flanker and was later selected for the 1963-64 British tour where he played in the English and Scottish Internationals. Brian appeared in all four tests against the 1965 Springboks and after Wilson Whineray retired, he was named All Black captain for the series against the 1966 Lions.

He captained NZ against Wales in 1989 and received the OBE for services to rugby following an unprecedented winning streak by the Allblacks. A few months later in South Africa 1970 the three test losses in this series, were the only international defeats suffered by the All Blacks under his leadership. He was also recalled by the selectors from semi-retirement to partner Colin Meads as a lock in the third test against 1971 Lions after a training injury to Peter Whiting. Sports writer Terry McLean remarked upon Brianï¿½s 'dignity' as a leader and wrote: "His physical fitness was inexhaustible, his anticipation was hawk-like, his resolution was impenetrable. Add this to his catching at the lineout, his total engagement in the tight-loose, his serviceability on defence and you have the picture of a great back-row forward. New Zealand has fielded none better that's for sure" Brian has contributed much to rugby as coach, club president, NZRFU selector & coach of World Cup winners.

He retired from coaching after winning the 1987 World Cup and was co-selector of the World XV that played three tests again the All Blacks in 1992 to mark the New Zealand unionï¿½s centenary. He also played a crucial role in the 1995 World Cup as campaign manager and afterwards, worked with NZ union councillor Jock Hobbs to contract All Blacks in the face of the threat from the World Rugby Corporation. In 1999 he became Sir Brian in the Queenï¿½s Birthday Honours list, for services to sport and the community. He was also appointed the Chairman of the Hillary Commission which later merged with the New Zealand Sports Foundation to become Sport & Recreation New Zealand. As a coach, he achieved National coach status in 1985 for 3 years with highlights during this period including the Baby Blacksï¿½ victory over France in 1986 and the famous All Black win in the 1987 inaugural World Cup.

Brian is a current All Black selector and was awarded the SPARC Leadership Award at the 2006 Halberg Sports Awards in recognition of his outstanding contribution to NZ sport both on the field and for his roles in coaching and sports administration. FULL NAME INTERVIEW: Sean Fitzpatrick on New Zealand’s quest for greater glory - Rugby World Cup - Rugby | Sport360 – RWC: Sonny Bill expects big improvements “I belong to a special club and 871 is my number.” As one of 17 sons to follow in their father’s footsteps in the 131-year history of the All Blacks, he is part of a select group. But the former hooker recalls he was never pushed to emulate dad Brian, who played 22 times between 1951 and 1954 and died in 2006. “He encouraged us to play team sport and just enjoy it,” says Sean, now 52. “Rugby just happened to be the chosen sport. “He never put me under that pressure to follow in his footsteps and I never thought I could become an All Black. I had a bit of talent and then thought around 20 maybe I can be.

“He wasn’t one to show too much emotion, but he was pretty chuffed when I did it. Not a lot of fathers and sons do that and shows what you can achieve. “I achieved more than I ever thought I would. I played for the greatest rugby team in the world, had some good times and some difficult times.” The rugby World Cup certainly highlights those highs and lows. His first experience in 1987 was as surreal as it was successful for a New Zealand side hosting the inaugural tournament amid the backdrop of unpopularity following the unofficial Cavaliers tour to apartheid South Africa a year earlier. Fitzpatrick, a debutant in 1986 against France after the rebel Cavaliers were banned for two Tests, reveals how coach Brian Lochore – later to be knighted – tried to win the hearts of a nation as well as the World Cup. He made his team more accessible to the public by spending a night with locals in the small Wairarapa settlement of Pirinoa. “It was amazing, but I thought that was more about Brian Lochore than anything else,” says Fitzpatrick. “You have to realise back in ‘87 rugby wasn’t the most liked sport.

We had some major issues with our association and with going to South Africa in apartheid times. “A lot of New Zealanders didn’t like the All Blacks and it was about going back into the community and touching the people. “For us, the World Cup was about doing a job. It was literally our duty to win it, get it out of the way and get back to work. We were focused on our job.” Having made history, that focus was strangely missing four years later when Australia upset them 16-6 in the semi-finals en route to a first triumph. “That was my worst moment, 1991,” adds Fitzpatrick. “We’d taken our position for granted and shouldn’t have got beaten. “We had a kick up the backside and some of my mates never played for the All Blacks again. Some of us changed and we were the ones who played on.

It was a wake-up call.” Fitzpatrick was captain as more misery followed in the epic 1995 World Cup final, decided by a Joel Stransky drop goal in extra time, but remembered mostly for host nation South Africa uniting under its first black president Nelson Mandela – although coach Laurie Mains claimed the players’ tea and coffee had been spiked on the eve of the clash. Hollywood paid tribute to the Boks with the movie ‘Invictus’, but Fitzpatrick says: “I haven’t watched it. Why would I? I know what the ending is going to be anyway and don’t think it really depicts what it was all about. “But it will go down as one of the greatest moments of my life in terms of being such life-changing experience. When you go through something like that, it’s going to have an emotional and motivational effect. “After that final, a mate said to me ‘You have to come back next year and beat them in their own back yard, be the first All Blacks captain to win a series in South Africa’. “To go back there and beat them at home was my greatest moment. Winning that series in ‘96 was bigger than winning the World Cup.

That team, we had a crusade, and we knew what we were doing. In 1987 I don’t think we really did or knew how much it meant.” Fitzpatrick attained legendary status when he won the last of his 92 caps in 1997 against Wales at Wembley, with his leadership qualities and courage coming to the fore as part of a side that raised the bar in rugby. Their record 23-Test unbeaten run, set between 1987 and 1990, still stands, although Steve Hansen’s current charges were one game shy in 2014. Debate will rage about which side is the greatest, but if Richie McCaw can lead his men to a second successive World Cup title then that would probably settle the argument. “This team is the most prepared All Black team I’ve ever seen,” Fitzpatrick tells Sport360. “It’s not that I haven’t seen it before, but this team likes winning trophies and have challenged themselves to win back-to-back World Cups. “I think this team is special. For me it’s more about the way they go about their business, how they hold themselves publicly and the way they deliver.

Richie has that winning mentality and desire in spades. Being captain of the All Blacks is more important than being Prime Minister of New Zealand. “You are representing 4.5 million shareholders and we expect you to win. If our football, cricket or netball team comes second, New Zealanders would say ‘bloody well done, a small country on the edge of the world has come second on the world stage’. But if the All Blacks come second it’s a national disaster. “I absolutely loved that pressure. We often talk about harnessing a fear of failure and, for me, the biggest motivating factor playing for the All Blacks was that fear of failure. “This is going to be the most difficult World Cup to win ever and I just think New Zealand have done everything they can to do it.” Just two defeats since 2012 emphasises their extraordinary talents and Fitzpatrick believes they will be hard to displace, despite the imminent retirements of heroes like McCaw and Dan Carter. “We are going to have a lot leaving, but we have new guys coming through and a conveyor belt that works well in New Zealand rugby,” he adds.

“Rugby is different to what it was 30 years ago, and it’s hypothetical, but yes they could be dominant for the next decade. The work ethic, the coaching, the science and the support of the Rugby Union has been phenomenal. They’ve identified it, they’ve got it right and New Zealand rugby should be proud of what they have achieved.” Just like Fitzpatrick is of his own achievements. New Zealand’s Graham Henry: how I learned to win the Rugby World Cup | Sport | The Guardian New Zealand rugby union team New Zealand’s Graham Henry: how I learned to win the Rugby World Cup He was the most experienced rugby coach in the world, but the All Black veteran, who will be writing an exclusive Guardian column during the Rugby World Cup, needed to change his outlook before he oversaw their historic triumph Graham Henry, the former head coach of the All Blacks won the Rugby World Cup in 2011. Photograph: Scott McAulay for the Guardian Tuesday 8 September 2015 07.01 EDT Last modified on Monday 4 April 2016 08.18 EDT Share on Messenger Close Graham Henry looks down at the grass of Eden Park.

So many matches, so many memories. One wells up above the others. 23 October, 2011, the World Cup final, New Zealand 8, France 7 . The culmination of a 37-year career that started when Henry took charge of Auckland Grammar’s under-15 team. “When I was coaching the All Blacks I was probably the most experienced coach in the world,” Henry says. “That’s not an arrogant statement, it’s a fact.” Henry moved from school coach to province coach to Super Rugby coach. Then there was Wales. They lost in the World Cup quarter-finals in 1999. That was followed by a poor tour with the British & Irish Lions in 2001 that ended in a 2-1 defeat by Australia. Another spell with Auckland, in rugby rehab. Then, at last, the top job. Head coach of the All Blacks. In 2007, came the hardest defeat of all, another quarter-final defeat, by France in Cardiff. For Henry, it was a long road to the 2011 final. These are the pick of the many lessons he learned along the way.

Rugby World Cup 2015 digital wallchart Read more Culture comes first Henry took on the All Blacks job in December 2003, but he did not really take charge for another 12 months. After New Zealand’s defeat by South Africa at Ellis Park in August 2004, the team held a mock court session . Two senior players, Justin Marshall and Carlos Spencer, passed down the punishments. Mostly they involved downing alcohol. Almost everyone ended up blind drunk. Henry realised then the squad had become dysfunctional. Back in New Zealand, Henry and his assistants, Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith, met two senior players. It was the most important meeting Henry had in his eight years in charge. “We agreed we had to move away from that macho culture.” Pinterest Graham Henry suffered defeat at coach of the Lions in Australia in 2001. Photograph: Ross Land/Getty Images They drafted a three-point manifesto. You can boil it down to one: “You’re an All Black 24/7”. No more mock courts. No more binge drinking. No women in the team hotel.

It was during this meeting the All Black manager, Sir Brian Lochore, coined what would become a mantra for Henry and his team: “Better people make better All Blacks”. This is something Henry singles out about Stuart Lancaster. “Stuart understands the importance of standards and culture, how that transfers on to the field and how, if you get them right, that results in the team connecting with each other.” In 2004, Henry dropped Spencer and Marshall from the All Blacks’ next tour, though they had 112 caps between them. Spencer never played for his country again. Now, Henry says Lancaster’s decision to drop Manu Tuilagi after he was convicted of assault this year was a masterstroke, because “it will tighten up the group, and they will play better for it”. Check your ego “I went through a big learning curve with Wales and then the British and Irish Lions in 2001,” Henry says. “I was arrogant, just so up myself. And it killed me. I’m still alive but it killed me. I realised then that I had to change.

I couldn’t carry on being the authoritarian coach and telling people what to do.” In 2005, Henry was approached by the All Black captain, Tana Umaga. “Coffee, Ted?” he said. “Alright, T,” Henry replied, thinking to himself ‘What’s going on here?’ After a while, Umaga asked: “Ted, what do you give those team talks for?” Henry thought about it. “Well, T, I thought they might provide the team with a bit of motivation, a bit of direction, before the match.” Umaga paused. “Ah, but are they for you, Ted, or are they for us?” The team talk had been part of Henry’s ritual for 30 years. He liked to think he was pretty good at it but he realised Umaga was right. “You spend the week before each game building the momentum of the group. As you do that, you transfer the responsibility from the coaches to the players but then an hour before the game, there is a fella up the front telling them what to do. I realised it just didn’t fit.” He never gave another team talk.

Empower your players After Henry left Wales, in 2002, he took a job as the assistant coach at the Auckland Blues. It was there, while working as part of a coaching team, he realised what he needed to change. “I had to empower the players, I had to give them more responsibility.” Until then, Henry had been an autocrat. Over the course of his eight years with the All Blacks he passed more and more of his power to his players. The coaches identified a group of seven senior players who they wanted to take ownership of the team. They were a mixed bunch. Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Andrew Hore, and Mils Muliaina were the on-field leaders – they would help plan match tactics and training schedules. Conrad Smith, Brad Thorn, and Keven Mealamu were the off-field leaders – they were responsible for the social schedule and for helping ease new players into the team. “Everything was discussed among the team before it was set in concrete, because the more empowered players are, the better they play,” Henry says, The group of seven set the objectives, strategies and rules.

In 2015, when Cory Jane and Israel Dagg went out on a drinking binge three days before the quarter-final it wasn’t Henry they had to answer to but their own team-mates. “That was much more powerful than anything I could have said because I was old enough to have been their grandfather.” During the last 30 minutes of the final, France were one point behind and pressing hard. Henry and Smith passed a message to the pitch through Hansen. “Kick deep for position. Get the ball in behind them. Play the game in the French 22.” The players ignored it. “Richie thought it was a better idea to keep the ball and grind it out because he was worried that a kick would spark a strong counterattack. “We couldn’t understand why our instructions were being ignored but Richie was right.” Be smart, be secretive “Part of the enjoyment of coaching rugby is that you’re always trying to find a little thing that will make a difference,” Henry says. “Something that is just going to give you a small edge.” In 2008, Hansen concocted just such a move. It was called “Teabag”, after the loosehead prop, Tony Woodcock.

At an attacking lineout the hooker threw to the lock. While he was in the air, half the lineout men moved forward and half moved back, opening up a cavernous gap. Then the lock passed the ball down to Woodcock who sauntered straight through the middle. The team used it once, when they beat Australia in Auckland that August. “We’ll put that one on ice,” Hansen said. “Teabag” wasn’t seen again for another three years, until McCaw decided to call on it 15 minutes into the World Cup final. Woodcock ran through the gap again to score New Zealand’s only try of the match . Richie McCaw lifts the Webb Ellis Cup after the World Cup Final match against France in 2011. Photograph: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images Confront your weaknesses Two of Henry’s three predecessors lost their jobs immediately after the All Blacks were knocked out of the World Cup. He was able to keep his only because he understood what went wrong when his team lost in 2007 and was able to convince the NZRU he had a fix for it.

Henry was appalled by the poor refereeing in the match but he knew, too, that his team had failed to adjust to the situation. That they had, as the media put it, choked. “Psychology is a difficult area. People sort of avoid it because they don’t know anything about it,” Henry says. “But after you’ve been through that situation, and found you couldn’t handle the pressure, then you have to dive into it, dissect it and get expertise in to assist with it.” They hired Ceri Evans, a Rhodes scholar who won 56 caps for New Zealand’s football team and a highly qualified psychologist. “We educated ourselves about how the mind functions when it working well and how it functions when it is under pressure. Just to understand the difference between those two things is very helpful.” Then they tried to help each individual develop the skills to “stay positive and stay in the now”. He won’t let on too much because New Zealand are still using the same techniques. “But you do see the All Blacks win matches they probably shouldn’t, because the players have got the mental skills now to know that the game is not over until 80 minutes.

They don’t panic if they’re behind on the scoreboard.” Expect the unexpected If you can be sure of anything in a tournament as long and gruelling as the World Cup it’s that there are going to be some twists and turns along the way. In 2007, Henry and his team were caught short by poor refereeing and an inspired France. In the run-up to 2011, he decided to try to prepare plans for all the worst-case scenarios he and his leadership team could imagine. “Unexpected situations. McCaw breaks his leg in the first minute of the final, what happens then? How do you handle that? You have to look at all the possibilities. Our philosophy was ‘the unexpected is going to happen, so try and handle it.’” In 2010-11, Henry had been heavily criticised for rotating his players. They said he was devaluing the All Black New Zealand caps by giving them away so easily. But it meant that a player such as Stephen Donald, the fourth-choice fly-half, had 22 caps. “If he hadn’t had that All Black experience, he wouldn’t have been able to do what he did in the World Cup final.” It paid off.

Carter, “probably the most influential player in the world at the time”, tore a groin tendon during training. They had a plan for that. Colin Slade stepped up and Aaron Cruden came into the team. Then Slade got injured playing against Argentina. They had a plan for that. Scrum-half Piri Weepu took on the goal-kicking. In the final, Slade went off injured. So on came Donald. “It didn’t make it easy, but thank God we had the strategy to deal with it. We could say: ‘We’ve planned for this, so let’s do the business on that plan.’” Former All Black captains offer advice as Read takes helm - Sport - NZ Herald News Former All Black captains offer advice as Read takes helm 5:00 AM Saturday Jun 11, 2016 SHARE: Former All Black captains talk about leading their country as new skipper Kieran Read takes control. Former All Blacks captain Buck Shelford. Photo / Stephen Parker Sir Brian Lochore (1964-71) "Kieran's situation is a hell of a lot different to mine.

He has captained the All Blacks a few times, and I'm sure it wasn't a shock for him to be named as the next skipper. By comparison, I was fifth or sixth on the list of likely captains. He'll probably go in with more confidence than me. I'd had plenty of practice at club and provincial level, but a test was different. "It was an incredible surprise, but I had a private chat with [coach] Fred Allen and he assured me he rated my ability to lead. We got on well. I was the shy country boy initially, but he gave me the confidence to say what I thought to him, to the selection panel, of which I was one, and certainly to the players. It was not one of those things where you say 'I'm captain and this is how I'm going to do it'. It takes time, but you've got to let the players know what you want. "[Taking over from Wilson Whineray] I initially felt it was best to lead from the front with more action than words. You could say as time went on it was more words than actions, but perhaps that's not the best way of putting it ...

[chuckles]." Sir Brian Lochore (R) with current All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen. Photo / Getty Sean Fitzpatrick (1986-97) "The first question you're faced with is: 'am I good enough?' Continued below. Rugby: Crotty ready to hit hole in midfield "1992 was a strange time in New Zealand rugby. We'd had a clean out post-World Cup, it was the rugby union's centenary year, I was the captain of this great establishment playing against a World XV, and we lost first up. Then I had to make a speech - it was one of my greatest fears - we had about six new caps and I forgot some of the guys' names. "Around that time, John Sturgeon, our manager, knocked on my door. He came in, a man from the West Coast coal mines, and said 'Fitzy, you're not faring too well, are you?' I said 'Sturgey, I'm bloody hating it' and he said 'just forget about it, all you need to do is be the best player on that field and they'll follow you.' That was the best piece of advice I ever got.

Former All Black captain Sean Fitzpatrick. Photo / Getty More Rugby Dream Team Tipping "I went to see Andy Dalton as a way of seeking out great All Black captains. He was working in Penrose behind a big, palatial desk. I walked in and he was sitting there in a suit and tie. I had such admiration for him after what he did in 1987 [after getting injured before the World Cup and staying to mentor the squad]. I said 'Andy, can you please help me to know what being a great All Black captain's all about.' He looked at me, almost with disdain, and said 'you ARE the All Black captain, now get out of my office and go and do the job.' I thought, 'hell'. "In our day you were thrown in the deep end but Kieran, he's the best No 8 in the world, he's established and is already a good leader. They do that so much better now [in the All Blacks]. Players are inducted well into the culture, and have great people around them." Reuben Thorne (1999-2007) "You have to be yourself and genuine otherwise people will see through you.

It's not so much a matter of change for the sake of it, but it's being true to yourself. There is certainly pressure that comes with it, but that's something every All Black feels anyway, whether you're a captain or not. You want to uphold those traditions and stature of being an All Black. Being captain is a step up again, it's an extension of what you're already doing, really. There is an increased spotlight. You have to front all the media; there are extra sponsorship commitments. All the extra things that go on around the team these days, the captain is heavily involved in it, including planning and leadership and decision-making; all the off-field stuff. I've never been a great public speaker, I've never enjoyed it, but it's part of the role and you just have to deal with it. "It changed my life in terms of public recognition, and when you're under pressure at times you certainly learn about yourself, how to cope with different situations, so ... it certainly taught me a few things. Reuben Thorne. Photo / Getty "Kieran has to keep doing what he's been doing.

He's been in that leadership role, he was Richie's right-hand man up to this point so he's very experienced and knows how it all works. He's just got to keep playing well, first and foremost, and the rest of it will flow from there." Buck Shelford (1986-90) "It was in Japan after we won the 1987 World Cup when David Kirk finished. It was a small tour and we always knew we were going to win but we had to make sure we did not drop our standards against a lesser nation. There's always a danger if you under-estimate a side that will come back to bite you so that was the biggest thing about captaining the team on that tour. The only different thing for me was tossing the coin, running out first and making a few decisions. It was special but I didn't think about that at the time, I was too busy thinking about the rugby we wanted to play in the manner we had been playing for the previous few years. "My idea of captaincy when you are working with the best players in New Zealand was to use their ability because they were all leaders in their own right.

I made choices about shots at goal and Foxy never turned those down because he wanted the points. That was the way we played then. Sometimes I'd overrule on the pattern and keep the ball in the forwards but Foxy would be happy because he would get the ball on the front foot. These days teams go side to side far more and leave it to one guy to get the break where we went forward, pick and go and tried to get behind them there. "Kieran should try not to let the captaincy overtake the player he is. He might be given the mantle of captaincy but he still has to perform as well so don't let the extra responsibility of captaincy become a burden."

Question: Brian Lochore was coach to the New Zealand team in the first World Cup in 1987 for what sport?
Answer: Rugby