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Expectations are beyond our control: Henry

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-08-09 10:42

Coach Graham Henry of New Zealand's All Blacks takes part in the captain's run in preparation for their international rugby test match against South Africa's Springboks in Wellington July 16, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand - New Zealand coach Graham Henry tried to hose down expectations on Sunday after his side retained the Bledisloe Cup and all but secured the Tri-Nations title with its win over Australia the night before.

Henry's side needs just one point from its final two games to clinch its fifth Tri-Nations title in six years, and has become a run-away favorite for next year's home World Cup after showcasing a fast but brutally confrontational style that has delivered 13 straight wins.

"I think we just try to be our best every time," Henry told reporters on Sunday. "That's all we can do. We can't control the uncontrollable.

"I just think we are always just trying to be better and to raise the bar. We could get smashed in South Africa (on Aug 21) and those expectations could come back down to base level again."

Henry said the Wallabies had shown backbone to bounce back from the 49-28 thrashing in Melbourne last week and would be a threat at next year's World Cup.

"It was our toughest game (of the season)," he added. "It was a traditional Australia-New Zealand test match.

"I guess we have had some scintillating rugby over the past few months, but last night was a real battle for 80 minutes.

"Let's be honest here. They played well and contributed hugely to the game.

"They have a number of players who aren't playing at the moment who will make a huge difference to their team and they will be a very competitive side during the World Cup."

Henry echoed the thoughts of his captain Richie McCaw, who rated the All Blacks' defensive effort in making 110 tackles and missing just five as key to the victory.

"Our defense, structurally, was outstanding," Henry said. "We probably didn't hit as hard in the contact as we have but the structure was superb."

Henry said he thought his players may have been feeling the effects of the season so far, having played seven tests in nine weeks, and they had all been told not to train until Thursday, before reassembling next weekend for the trip to South Africa.

"The guys need some space and we need to be careful when we get to South Africa. I think the guys were just feeling the effects of so many test matches," he said.

The only injury concern was scrumhalf Jimmy Cowan, who was ruled out of Saturday's clash with Australia due to a rib injury he sustained last week in Melbourne.

Henry said he would only take two scrumhalves in his 26-man squad to South Africa, with one of the positions "bracketed" depending on how Cowan recovered.

Reuters