With the All Blacks heading into the Ellis Park Test, Hansen has been speaking about what Henry actually brings to Rennie's setup beyond the obvious selector tag. His read: it's less about pick A over B and more about the accumulated wisdom of someone who's coached 100-plus Tests sitting alongside a coach still finding his feet at this level. The sharper insight in this piece, though, comes from Ewen McKenzie — he argues Henry's most critical work this week will be managing the non-23, keeping disappointed players engaged and ready, working alongside Gilbert Enoka. Hansen backs that up strongly, making the case that how a squad handles selection snubs — allowing short-term disappointment but refusing to let it fester — is often what separates functional touring squads from fractured ones. With Lions fixtures still to come and a full tour in motion, keeping the fringe players invested isn't a soft concern; it's a tactical necessity.
Graham Henry's behind-the-scenes role could be just as important as his selection input
Hansen and McKenzie break down how Henry is contributing beyond selection — his real value may be in managing the non-23's disappointment and keeping the full squad tour-ready ahead of the Ellis Park Test.
- New Zealand
- John Plumtree
- Emirates Lions
Jake White: Henry's All Blacks return is a 'masterстroke' — and he's no ordinary selector
White calls Henry's return a masterstroke — not because of his selector credentials, but because of the psychological and cultural weight he brings to a rebuilding All Blacks camp. White also makes a pointed broader argument about the game's failure to learn from history, using his own 2007 World Cup experience as a case study.
Keo & Zels: Stubborn All Blacks policy make Boks smile
The boys love that New Zealand keep picking their second-best, long may it continue.
TMOs are killing the game — and school rugby proves it
A sharp column using the disallowed Mahashe try as the centrepiece of a broader argument that TMOs have abandoned their 'clear and obvious' brief — applied forensic scrutiny to one try while waving through questionable scores elsewhere in the same game. Also covers New Zealand's overseas eligibility self-sabotage and the URC final-round permutations.
TMO overreach is killing the game — and the Lions paid the price
The Mahashe disallowed try becomes a flashpoint for a wider argument that TMOs have abandoned the 'clear and obvious' mandate in favour of forensic overreach — with the Lions and the spectacle of the game paying the price. The column also takes aim at the All Blacks' overseas-player policy and previews the URC playoff picture.
Hooker targeting All Blacks opener after shoulder surgery, July Tests ruled out
Ethan Hooker is targeting the opening All Blacks Test in The Greatest Rivalry series after shoulder surgery, with the 23-year-old ruled out of all July Tests against England, Scotland and Wales.