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WILL HE OR WON'T HE: All Blacks coach Graham Henry has has not yet made a decision on his future beyond next year's World Cup.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry says reports of his retirement are premature.
And the French journalist at the centre of a confusing day yesterday has confirmed Henry did not say he would retire after next year's World Cup in France.
Henry was reported to have told a French newspaper that he would retire after the tournament.
"If everything goes well Steve Hansen will be the next coach as he was in Wales," Henry told Midi Olympique.
"Wayne Smith will be alongside him. He doesn't want to be head coach anymore. His previous experiences and the way it finished convinced him that he would rather stay behind the scenes rather than be head coach."
Henry told TVNZ the report that he would step aside next year was "rubbish" and without foundation.
And journalist Serge Manificat admitted last night he had made an error. Manificat said that Henry had said "the best moment to step aside would be after a World Cup" and not necessarily after next year's tournament.
In a brief statement Henry said yesterday he had not made a decision on his future beyond next year.
"We're all focused on coaching the All Blacks to the rugby World Cup," he said.
"Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith are both very talented coaches which is great for New Zealand rugby.
"Our contracts are up after the rugby World Cup, and the New Zealand Rugby Union will look at what's best for the team at the appropriate time."
Henry, 60, has been a coach for 32 years and victory at the World Cup would cap a career that began with the successful Auckland and Blues teams. He coached Wales and the British and Irish Lions, and defeated the Lions with the All Blacks last year before securing the grand slam.
Should the All Blacks lose in France next year, Henry would be sacked. If they win he would get to depart in style.
Either way Hansen is widely tipped to be his successor, though former All Blacks coach Robbie Deans' success with the Crusaders makes him a worthy alternative candidate.
Deans' stumbling block would be the stain he carries from his two years in charge with John Mitchell.
Deans said yesterday he had "not ruled out" trying to coach the All Blacks again.
