Henry eyes English opportunity

New Zealand All Blacks coach Graham Henry is considering offers in England. REUTERS/David Rogers/Pool
New Zealand All Blacks coach Graham Henry is considering offers in England. REUTERS/David Rogers/Pool
World Cup winner Graham Henry says he would consider a job with English rugby.

He told the UK's Daily Telegraph newspaper he would consider any offer with the Rugby Football Union.

Henry, named this week as coach of the year at the IRB awards for the fifth time, said: "Yes, I would talk to the RFU, sure.''

While claiming he wasn't after Martin Johnson's top job, joking it would result in "divorce'', he spoke of his interest in managing a programme to produce better England-qualified coaches.

Henry, now 65, said: " I couldn't just not do anything. I would love to help other people.

"I'm particularly proud about the environment created in this All Blacks team. I would love to work in coach development, player development, environmental development, cultural development of a group of people. I'm passionate about that.''

The veteran coach of 143 Test matches has plenty of experience coaching in the UK.

In 1998, he took over the Wales job and became the highest paid rugby union coach in the world for a reputed 250,000.

After guiding his side to eleven consecutive victories, he earned him the nickname of `the Great Redeemer' in the Welsh press.

He was also the coach of the British and Irish Lions during in their 2001 tour of Australia.

His All Blacks contract expired after Sunday's World Cup final victory over France and his current assistant, Steve Hansen, is believed to be the leading candidate to take his place.