Final Word

Final Word is an honest and reflective look at the life and career of a truly remarkable and often controversial leader in world rugby.


Final Word is an honest and reflective look at the life and career of a truly remarkable and often controversial leader. With the Rugby World Cup win in 2011, Graham Henry broke the 24-year curse and restored the NZ All Blacks to the top of the rugby pedestal. But while Graham began and ended his career on a high, along the way he experienced moments of despair, bordering on depression. At the lowest point in his career, he almost gave it all away. This book traces his lack-lustre academic career, surprising considering he rose to become a successful headmaster; his achievements as a cricketer, the origins of his rugby coaching; and his strong partnership with his wife, Raewyn. Graham reveals the drastic measures he took to change the culture within the All Blacks and set them on the path to becoming world champions. In his eight years as coach, the All Blacks maintained an incredible 85 per cent success rate across 106 matches and, of course, claimed the Webb Ellis Trophy at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.