GRAHAM HENRY will take charge of his 100th All Blacks Test match when New Zealand conclude their World Cup Pool A campaign against Canada in Wellington tomorrow.
New Zealand have won 84 and lost 15 of their games during Henry’s reign, and they remain clear favourites to lift the World Cup for the first time since 1987.
“It’s a privilege, really, to be involved in the most successful sporting team in the history of sport over 110 years,” Henry said. “It is special, and I am proud to be a part of that.
“And to do that 100 times is also special – but probably a sign of madness as well.
“I think it is a reflection on what the management team and the leaders in the team have done over these last eight years to keep me in a job.”
Henry has recalled fullback Mils Muliaina for his 99th cap and switched Israel Dagg to the wing, although Henry denied it was a sentimental selection as Muliaina closes in on a century of Test appearances.
“No, not at all,” he added. “Mils is part of this group. He has been an outstanding player and he needs to play.
“Israel has been playing very well and he got player of the day last week (against France), but Mils has played 98 games for the All Blacks and has been an outstanding All Black for a long time.”
Elsewhere, Kieran Read returns from injury to make his first tournament start, with Zac Guildford on the wing, as the All Blacks target a quarter-final against Argentina next weekend.
