IRB replaces Bok coach

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has replaced South Africa's Jake White on the highly influential International Rugby Board panel.

White, a 2007 World Cup winners. stepped down after three years on the committee due to the demands of his coaching commitments with Australian outfit Brumbies and Henry, who led the All Blacks to World Cup glory on home soil last year, has agreed to join the governing body's rugby committee.

The body plays a key role in recommending policy regarding players' welfare, the laws, playing trends and coaching techniques.

"Rugby is a sport that is constantly evolving on and off the field and with that come challenges," said Henry.

"As a coach I have experienced the evolution first hand. I am now looking forward to using my experience to continue to contribute to the game through the committee."

Henry, widely renowned as one of the finest coaches of his generation and one of the most successful coaches of the professional era, coached the All Blacks to World Cup victory on home soil in 2011 and no less than five Tri-Nations titles, receiving the coveted IRB Coach of the Year five times between 2004 and 2011.

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "The IRB Rugby Committee is at the very heart of developing policies relating to the playing of the Game and comprises leading representatives from the playing, coaching and refereeing fraternities covering men's and women's Fifteens and Sevens. It recommends policy on critical areas of playing the Game such as player welfare, the Laws, playing trends and coaching techniques."

"The IRB Council believed it was important that a leading international coaching representative be brought onto the Committee to bring a wealth of insight and experience. There are few better qualified coaches to join the Rugby Committee than Graham, who is a Rugby World Cup winner, a Tri-Nations winner and an unprecedented five-time IRB Coach of the Year. We are honoured that he has accepted the invitation and look forward to his invaluable contribution to the IRB Rugby Committee and the Game worldwide."

"I would like to thank Jake White for his invaluable insight and enormous contribution to the Committee over the past three years," added Lapasset.

Henry is already looking forward to making a contribution to the committee – which is chaired by former New Zealand captain Graham Mourie – and playing his part in assisting the ongoing development and growth of the Game around the world.

"It is a massive honour for me to be asked by the IRB Council to join the IRB Rugby Committee. Rugby is a sport that is constantly evolving on and off the field and with that come challenges. As a coach I have experienced the evolution first hand. I am now looking forward to using my experience to continue to contribute to the Game through the IRB Rugby Committee," said Henry.

"The Rugby Committee plays a central role in ensuring that the sport continues to thrive and grow in the safest possible environment using the best possible techniques for playing, coaching, officiating and administering the Game. I am excited about the prospect of being involved in that process."

Mourie added: "The IRB Rugby Committee plays an important role in advising the IRB Council on all issues related to playing the Game across the spectrum from community rugby up to the professional game. The personnel who sit on the Committee have a wealth of knowledge of administrating the game and the appointment of World Cup winner Graham Henry to succeed Jake White, alongside Fabien Pelous and a soon to be named international player, further strengthens the Committee and underscores the IRB's commitment to consulting the game."

The IRB Rugby Committee comprises IRB Council Members Graham Mourie (New Zealand, Chairman), Bill Beaumont (England), Giancarlo Dondi (Italy), Michael Hawker (Australia), John Jeffrey (Scotland), David Pickering (Wales), Agustin Pichot (Argentina), Koji Tokumasu (Japan), Pat Whelan (Ireland) and Raul Martins (FIRA-AER), player Fabien Pelous (France) and coach Graham Henry (New Zealand). A further announcement detailing the appointment of a leading former women's international player will be made in the coming days.

The IRB Rugby Committee is one of three IRB Standings Committees. The other two are the Audit & Risk Committee and the Regulations Committee