PERTH, Australia: New Zealand’s World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry yesterday urged the Wallabies to stick to expansive rugby and gave his surprise backing to their beleaguered new boss Ewen McKenzie.
Three losses in three Tests have piled the pressure on McKenzie, who took over from New Zealand’s Robbie Deans in July, but Henry said Australia were “trying to play the game the right way”.
“When they were the best team in the world at the turn of the century, they played an expansive game,” the consultant with Argentina, told reporters.
“It’s the way they should play because that’s their mentality and that’s their skill-level.
“I don’t think you are going to win games by playing chess-board rugby and kicking the balls in the air and chasing it.
“That’s not the way Australians play, and they haven’t got the forward pack that can give you that sort of dominance.
“I think they’re trying to play the game the right way. They’re struggling at the moment, but I think a couple of wins under Ewen will put them right.” AFP
