Marc Hinton, of the New Zealand Herald, looks back at a successful year for New Zealand rugby.
"Graham Henry has his inner peace, and probably a knighthood to go with it.
But if anyone can testify to the fine lines that exist in international sport it's surely the All Blacks coach who was finally able to flip that upside down smile of his the right way up at the end of 80 excruciating minutes at Eden Park in late October.
Yes, Henry got the World Cup crown that he always knew would define his career, but boy was it a close run thing as the All Blacks defeated France 8-7 in a final packed with tension, drama and thundering commitment from both sides. Not to mention just a little symmetry in the form of the score. The last time the All Blacks lifted that prized Webb Ellis Cup? Er, '87."
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