All Black coach Graham Henry announced on Monday that he had applied to continue as the New Zealand head coach, making him one of seven applicants for the job.

Henry’s All Blacks were knocked out of the World Cup in the quarter finals – their worst ever result – despite being favourites to win in 2007.In re-applying for the position Henry said that he believed that he could add further value to the team.“I’m passionate about coaching and this team,” he said.“Obviously the Rugby World Cup was a big disappointment and I am responsible, but I believe we can learn from that experience and develop into an even stronger All Blacks team in the future.

“I will wait until the coaching decision is made before making any further public comment,” he added.

Henry’s assistant coaches, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen, also indicated their interest in continuing as Henry’s assistants.

Both also issued brief statements.

“We’re all gutted by the World Cup result especially after the success the team had in the four years before that,” Smith said.

“Personally, it’s made me more determined to look for improvements and to find a new level of success if given the chance. I’ll wait and see what the NZRU Board decides and then look at my options for the future.”

Hansen was equally supportive of Henry, saying: “Graham has my full support.

“I believe that we three coaches have worked well together over the last four years. We have learned a lot, both from our 42 wins and our six losses. We would like the opportunity to use that knowledge to improve the team further.

“That of course will be up to the Board, so I’ll wait for the Board’s decision before confirming any other decisions about my future.”

NZRU Board Member and Rugby Committee Chairman Mike Eagle said the seven applicants who were eligible to apply for the job would now be considered by the NZRU Rugby Committee and a shortlist of final candidates decided.

“At this stage, we are not at liberty to announce the names of the candidates due to the provisions of the Privacy Act,” he said.

“But once a shortlist of candidates is finalised we intend to ask the applicants to agree to be named, given the strong public interest in both the role and the process.”

Although the list has not been made public, those who have already put up their hands include Henry, Robbie Dean (Crusaders), Ian Foster (Chiefs) and Colin Cooper (Hurricanes).

The amateurs of Newton Abbot’s second XV had the shock of their lives when they turned up for a game and discovered that the All Blacks’ Jerry Collins was playing for the opposition.

The 6ft 3in, 17-stone flanker – nicknamed ‘The Terminator’ for his ferocious tackling – turned out for rival Devon side Barnstaple against a stunned group of butchers, builders and bricklayers from Newton Abbot.

Collins, the hard man of the New Zealand back row and the proud owner of the biggest biceps in their squad, ran in a storming try and made three try-saving tackles during his 55 minutes on the pitch, helping Barnstaple to a 21-7 away victory in the Devon Merit Table fixture.

The Samoan-born Collins, 26, took part in the match after bumping into Barnstaple’s head coach, Kevin Squire, while on holiday in Devon.

Squire was enjoying a meal in a restaurant when he spotted the All Black. “I did a double-take when I saw who it was and knew I had to introduce myself,” he said.

“He was very polite and unassuming. We talked for several minutes and I mentioned the club and invited him to come down and watch a game, but of course never expected him to turn up. He did though and even coached a session with the under-14 side, who were completely awe-struck.

“I told him we had a match coming up and he was welcome to join us, but again I was gobsmacked when he showed up to catch the bus with the rest of the players.

“It was very surreal for the lads as they are all amateurs – most of them are builders, bricklayers, plumbers and so on. He had even been to a sports store to buy a pair of boots.”

Squire said his new recruit dropped down a gear to fit in with the standard of the game. “Jerry didn’t play up his superstar status but was really one of the lads,” he said.

“He didn’t crunch into them like he could have done – they would have gone flying. He adapted his level of play to suit the game like a proper gentleman.

“It was a wonderful experience for all the players to play alongside such a big name in international rugby, even for the guys in the other team.”

Newton Abbot coach Phil Burford said his side were “quite taken aback” when Barnstaple showed up with Collins in tow. “I think the second-team lads were pinching themselves after playing with such an icon,” he said.

“After the match he was inundated with fans asking for pictures and autographs and he was happy to do it. He was a true professional.”

Former All Black Pat Walsh, who played 13 Tests in four positions between 1955 and 1963, had died at the age of 71. 
 

He became the second-youngest player to represent New Zealand at the age of 19 years and 106 days when he made his debut against Australia.

Walsh played at inside centre in that match and went on to also feature at fly-half, full-back and on the wing.

He played at full-back and centre in the All Blacks’ seminal series victory at home to South Africa in 1956.

Walsh made his last tour with New Zealand to Britain with Wilson Whineray’s All Blacks in 1963 but a knee injury sustained on that tour eventually ended his playing career.

He served as an All Blacks selector from 1969 to 1971.

New Zealand star Dan Carter has dropped his strongest hint yet that he may be set for a move to Europe.

The Crusaders fly-half has one year left on his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) but cannot rule out moving north when it expires.

“I really enjoy playing over here [in England] – there are great crowds and great people,” the 25-year-old told Sky Sports News.

“It’s something I’m going to have to have a good think about as I consider where I want my career to head, but it’s definitely on the cards for the future.

“I have got one year left and until then I will be making a decision on where I want my career to head.”

Carter – alongside skipper Richie McCaw – is arguably the biggest star in New Zealand rugby. He has been capped 44 times by the All Blacks and was voted the 2005 IRB Player of the Year.

A host of All Blacks stars quit New Zealand after the World Cup in order to further their careers in Europe, including Luke McAlister (Sale), Aaron Mauger (Leicester), Carl Hayman (Newcastle), Rico Gear (both Worcester), Bryon Kelleher (Toulouse), Chris Jack (Saracens) and Anton Oliver (Toulon).

New Zealand have a policy of not selecting players for the All Blacks who are playing abroad.

Doug Howlett has been found guilty of serious misconduct by the New Zealand Rugby Union after jumping on two cars in the wake of their World Cup exit.

The All Blacks record try-scorer was arrested after the alcohol-fuelled incident at Heathrow Airport following their quarter-final defeat to France.

The punishment handed out to the 29-year-old has not been disclosed.

NZRU’s Darren Shand said: “Doug faced intense scrutiny over his behaviour and has faced up to his actions.”

He added that the NZRU had taken into account the costs paid by Howlett as a result of the incident, his distinguished career with the All Blacks and his move to Irish club Munster at the start of next year.

Howlett said last month he would pay reparations to the owners of the cars he damaged and said he was embarrassed by his “little bit of tomfoolery”.

Howlett, who has scored 49 international tries, is unlikely to play another Test for his country after taking up the two-year contract with Munster as only New Zealand-based players are eligible for selection.