A STONY-FACED Graham Henry drew a line under reports All Blacks had been drinking in the build-up to yesterday’s World Cup quarter-final, saying he had “dealt with it”.

Following New Zealand's 33-10 victory over Argentina to set up a semi-final clash with Australia, the coach was asked about a report in the New Zealand Heraldwhich said Cory Jane had been on a "drinking binge" less than 72 hours before the match.

He and injured team-mate Israel Dagg appeared at the Mac's Brewbar in Takapuna on Thursday night and as the New Zealand Heraldreported: "Stunned bar patrons have told how the two backline stars appeared to be swaying and slurring their words.

“Witnesses said Jane lit a cigarette in the bar – breaking the Smoke-free Environments Act 1990 banning smoking in pubs, in force since 2004.

“When police showed up for a regulation check, bar staff “hid” the players in the bar’s kitchen.

Married father-of-three Jane reportedly waved a wad of NZ $50 notes at the bar, offering to buy patrons a drink. He also allegedly ventured behind the bar and acted like he was going to pour himself a drink.”

The newspaper contacted, it described, as ‘a furious All Black manager Darren Shand.’ He said: “They are the ones who are going to face the consequences now because they are going to be known – particularly across the country – as the guys who let the team down. That’s what’s most disappointing, that guys would do that in a week that we are affected by injury.”

The booze-fuelled night out ended about 1am when All Black scrumhalf Piri Weepu arrived and appeared to order the players back to the team hotel.

Shand said the team had dealt with it internally and the players had been disciplined according to team protocols.

“We don’t have any policy on smoking or drinking, we just expect them to make good decisions. ”

“Oh I’ve dealt with that and I’ve moved on,” Henry told a news conference yesterday, before leaving a silence hanging in the air.

Captain Richie McCaw was then quizzed about whether senior members of the team were expected to abstain from drinking for the good of the team.

“I think if we’re realistic about putting everything we can into winning this tournament, it is about making good decisions,” he said, side-stepping the direct question.

“And we probably had an incident that was not a very good decision, but we’ve dealt with that and the guys are pretty committed about doing everything they can to win the thing. That’s the way it has been all the way through and that’s the way it will continue.”

The player himself was open about what had happened, telling reporters after the match: “It was a stupid choice. However, it was important for me to play well today and I feel I did.”

Jane said the incident had not gone down well with the coaching staff. “It was awkward. It was pretty quiet and pretty tough,” he said.

Last month, New Zealand wing Zac Guildford apologised for his “excessive drinking” and vowed to take full advantage of his opportunity after escaping a playing ban.

Henry on Sunday night was persuaded to return to the theme and indicated Jane had been forgiven.

“I think he is a proud All Black and he wanted to perform,” he said of Jane’s contribution to the victory over Argentina.

“He probably didn’t make a good decision during the week – he definitely didn’t make a good decision during the week – and he wanted to get right back, and I thought he was outstanding out there . . . one of the outstanding players.”