Graham Henry was accused of being carried by a group of talented players by French counterpart Bernard Laporte, but Henry himself has revealed a source of inspiration much closer to home: his lady Raewyn!
The couple met at University, and since then, Raewyn has coached the Welsh netball team for two Commonwealth Games campaigns and a World Championship while Henry was redeeming Wales’ rugby fortunes.
Henry calls her the ‘fifth selector’, citing her ability to analyse a game that he might not be able to see.
“She knows the game, and can watch a game at home on TV that I might not have seen because I was away at some other game,” he said to the Western Mail.
“She’ll make some very pertinent comments about who played well, and when I get to watching that game myself I’ll often think, ‘Mmmm, she was right’.”
The 61-year-old former teacher also said he spent around 250 nights away from home last year, working or researching, and with Raewyn also deeply involved in the Auckland netball team, family time chez Henry is at a premium.
“She’s still coaching at senior club level in Auckland and enjoys it, and she’s the oldest netball player in the country,” continued Henry.
“When I’m home, she’s away coaching netball. Terrible!”
Sir Brian Lochore, one of the four official All Black selectors, said Raewyn was crucial to the performance of the squad’s current coach.
“She’s extremely important to him,” he told New Zealand’s Kia Ora magazine.
“She has a particularly good knowledge of rugby, coming from a strong rugby family, and a tremendous understanding of athletes and teams and what they go through, and that’s great.
“It’s important for him to have someone to discuss it with at home. A lot of people don’t have that luxury.”
The couple met at University, and since then, Raewyn has coached the Welsh netball team for two Commonwealth Games campaigns and a World Championship while Henry was redeeming Wales’ rugby fortunes.
Henry calls her the ‘fifth selector’, citing her ability to analyse a game that he might not be able to see.
“She knows the game, and can watch a game at home on TV that I might not have seen because I was away at some other game,” he said to the Western Mail.
“She’ll make some very pertinent comments about who played well, and when I get to watching that game myself I’ll often think, ‘Mmmm, she was right’.”
The 61-year-old former teacher also said he spent around 250 nights away from home last year, working or researching, and with Raewyn also deeply involved in the Auckland netball team, family time chez Henry is at a premium.
“She’s still coaching at senior club level in Auckland and enjoys it, and she’s the oldest netball player in the country,” continued Henry.
“When I’m home, she’s away coaching netball. Terrible!”
Sir Brian Lochore, one of the four official All Black selectors, said Raewyn was crucial to the performance of the squad’s current coach.
“She’s extremely important to him,” he told New Zealand’s Kia Ora magazine.
“She has a particularly good knowledge of rugby, coming from a strong rugby family, and a tremendous understanding of athletes and teams and what they go through, and that’s great.
“It’s important for him to have someone to discuss it with at home. A lot of people don’t have that luxury.”
365 Digital
