The All Blacks refused to be drawn into the controversial Backing Black abstinence campaign. Before the campaign was canned assistant coach Steve Hansen said “Please, let’s not go there,” in response to a query about abstinence.
But Graham Henry is praying No 8 Kieran Read will heal in time for the quarter finals in the second weekend of October. “He went in the pool this morning and he’s still in a boot so we’re praying,” Henry said after the All Blacks were welcomed by 2000 fans at Auckland’s Aotea Square.
Read was initially predicted to return for the final pool clash against Canada in a month but given his stature and importance the All Blacks are fretting he could be out for longer.
Steve Black, a close colleague of Henry’s with the Lions and Wales, relates that Henry once asked him what he did each night before an international since Black didn’t have a meal with the rest of the management and coaching staff. “Well, I go to church, Graham,” Black told him. “I just sit in church and say a little prayer hoping that the team can represent its abilities well and do itself justice. Graham asked if he could come with me.”
According to Black, Henry’s church visits did not endure, but the association with the Almighty is felicitous.
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