Who is King Henry's prince?

Most people would expect long-time New Zealand coach Graham Henry to have the best track record (and winning percentage) of all the coaches at the World Cup… and rightly so.

But who is second best, or third? Are there any real challengers to Henry?

We take a look at the top coaches heading to NZ 2011, look at their overall records, performances at home, how they rate against their World Cup pool opponents, how they compare with their predecessors and we rank them.

We also bring you brief profiles of all the other coaches who don’t quite make our top rankings.

The top ranked coaches at NZ 2011:

GRAHAM HENRY (New Zealand – since 2004):

Henry, who was the only applicant at the time, was appointed to replace John Mitchell as All Black coach following New Zealand’s semifinal loss to Australia in the 2003 World Cup. However, he was previously overlooked for the All Black job in 1998, after which Henry left New Zealand to coach Wales – where he guided them to a record 11 successive victories, including their only win ever over South Africa. He was also the coach of the British and Irish Lions for their unsuccessful 2001 tour to Australia.

As All Black coach Henry has a winning margin of 84.4 percent – 81 wins in 96 starts; 93.2 percent on home soil (41 wins in 44 starts). His 15 defeats have been against South Africa (eight), Australia (five) and France (two – including the infamous 2007 World Cup quarterfinal exit in Cardiff). Against Tier One teams his percentage drops dramatically to 76.6 (49 from 64)

Against World Cup pool opponents:
v Tonga (he has not faced Tonga)
v Japan (he has not faced Japan)
v France (77.8 percent – seven from nine)
v Canada (100 percent – one from one)

How he compares to his predecessors:  John Mitchell (82 percent), Wayne Smith (70 percent), John Hart (75 percent)

PETER DE VILLIERS (South Africa – since 2008):

His appointment as head coach of South Africa was clouded in controversy from the outset, when South African Rugby Union President Regan Hoskins stated at a media briefing that it was for “reasons other than just rugby”, adding that he (Hoskins) wanted to be “honest” with the public about the motivation behind the naming of South Africa’s first-ever non-white coach. He had some successes with South Africa at Under-19 and Under-21 level. Having inherited the core of the 2007 World Cup-winning squad, his tenure as Springbok mentor saw him secure victory over the All Blacks in Dunedin, a record victory over the Wallabies that same year, a series victory over the British and Irish Lions and winning the 2009 Tri-Nations.

His current record as Bok coach stands at 60.5 percent (26 wins in 43 starts), with home record of 71.4 percent (15 from 21) – with his longest winning sequence six Tests and his worst losing streak just four Tests. Against Tier One nations he fails to get a pass mark, 48.3 percent (14 from 29).

Against World Cup pool opponents:
v Wales (100 percent – five from five)
v Fiji (he has not faced Fiji)
v Namibia (he has not faced Namibia)
v Samoa (he has not faced Samoa)

How he compares to his predecessors: Jake White (66 percent), Rudolf Straeuli (52 percent), Harry Viljoen (53 percent)

MARC LIEVREMONT (France – since 2008):

It was a major surprise when French President Bernard Lapasset, who is now chairman of the IRB, appointed Lièvremont as the new head coach of the French national side after the 2007 World Cup, replacing Bernard Laporte. In 2010 Lièvremont coached France to win the 2010 Six Nations Championship and Grand Slam. However, this year pressure began to mount on him after Six Nation losses to England and Italy – the latter of which was the first time Italy had beaten France. His tenure has also been marked by some strange and erratic selections.

His coaching tenure has been just as erratic and unpredictable as his selections – 60.5 percent (23 wins in 38 starts), but a very impressive home record of 80 percent (16 from 20). He has never won more than four or lost more than three on the trot. Against Tier One teams he has a very poor record, 21.4 percent (three from 14).

Against World Cup pool opponents:
v Japan (he has not faced Japan)
v Canada (he has not faced Canada)
v New Zealand (33.3 percent – one from three)
v Tonga (he has not faced Tonga)

How he compares to his predecessors:  Bernard Laporte (63 percent), Jean-Claude Skrela (65 percent)

DECLAN KIDNEY (Ireland – since 2008):

His appointment as Ireland coach, when he replaced Eddie O’Sullivan in July 2008, was not without controversy. But the early stages of his tenure brought plenty of success – as he coached the Irish team to win the Grand Slam and Triple Crown in his first year. On 28 November 2009 he was awarded IRB Coach of the Year. His initial stint at Munster ended in 2002, when he left to become Ireland’s assistant coach. In 2004 he became coach at Newport Gwent Dragons. However in August 2004, after only three months in the job, he left to join Leinster. He rejoined Munster in 2005, winning the European Cup in his first season back, after losing in both 2000 and 2002 in the final.

Despite a great start, nine wins in his first 10 Tests, the slide in the last year has been so dramatic that he now has a record of just 57.6 percent (19 wins from 33 starts), meaning he has lost 14 of his last 23 Tests. His home record stands at 57.9 (11 from 19). Against Tier One teams his record is a poor 31.3 percent (five from 16).

Against World Cup pool opponents:
v United States (100 percent – one from one)
v Australia (zero – nought from two)
v Russia (he has not faced Russia)
v Italy (100 percent – three from three)

How he compares to his predecessors:  Eddie O’Sullivan (64 percent), Warren Gatland (47 percent), Brian Ashton (25 percent).

ROBBIE DEANS (Australia – since 2008):

Deans took over the Australian job after being overlook for the head coaching position with the All Blacks – making him the first ever foreigner to coach the Wallabies. He also served as assistant to former All Blacks coach John Mitchell between late 2001 and 2003. As the coach of the Crusaders, Deans has won more Super rugby titles than any other (three Super 12 titles and two Super 14). He has also coached the Canterbury provincial team in the National Provincial Championship, winning the title in 1997.

As Wallaby coach he has had mixed results, starting with five successive victories, before losing four of the next five. He currently stands at 56.3 percent (27 wins in 48 starts), with a home record of 68.2 percent (15 victories in 22 starts). Against Tier One teams his percentage drops slightly to 51.4 (18 from 35).

Against World Cup pool opponents:
v Italy (100 percent – four from four)
v Ireland (66.7 percent – two from three and one draw)
v United States (he has not faced the US)
v Russia (he has not faced Russia)

How he compares to his predecessors: John Connolly (64 percent), Eddie Jones (57 percent), Rod Macqueen (79 percent)

MARTIN JOHNSON (England – since 2008):

When he became the new England manager in July 2008, replacing Brian Ashton, Johnson had no previous coaching/managerial experience. He is most famously known for captaining England to victory in the World Cup in 2003. He toured three times with the British and Irish Lions, becoming the only man to have captained them on two separate tours. He also led his club Leicester Tigers to back-to back European Cup victories and won the English league six times.

Before this year’s Six Nations, when England recorded four successive victories, England;’s performances under Johnson were very erratic. He currently stands at 51.5 percent (17 wins from 33 starts) and has a home record of 61.9 percent (13 from 21). Against Tier One teams he has a poor 30.8 percent (four from 13).

Against World Cup pool opponents:
v Argentina (66.7 percent – two from three)
v Georgia (he has not faced Georgia)
v Romania (he has not faced Romania)
v Scotland (66.7 percent – two from three and one draw)

How he compares to his predecessors: Brian Ashton (54 percent), Andy Robinson (40 percent), Clive Woodward (71 percent).

WARREN GATLAND (Wales – since 2008):

He may well qualify as a coaching mercenary. Gatland spent time coaching in Scotland and Ireland, before taking up a position as coach of Ireland in February 1998, following the resignation of former England coach Brian Ashton. Despite a poor 1999 World Cup campaign, in which they failed to make it to the play-offs after losing to Argentina, he continued with Ireland until being sacked and replaced by his assistant coach Eddie O’Sullivan in 2001. He joined London Wasps in 2002 – where he took them to three consecutive Premiership titles (2003, 2004 and 2005) and the European Cup in 2004. He returned to New Zealand in 2005 to coach Waikato to the NPC title in 2006 and then joined Wales in 2008.

Despite an impressive start – a Six Nations Grand Slam – his current record stands at a barely passable 50 percent (21 wins from 42 starts) and a home record that is hardly better at 52 percent (13 from 25). Against Tier One teams he manages just 21.7 percent (five from 23).

Against World Cup pool opponents:
v South Africa (zero – nought from five)
v Samoa (100 percent – one from one)
v Namibia (he has not faced Namibia)
v Fiji (zero – nought from one)

How he compares to his predecessors: Gareth Jenkins (30 percent), Scott Johnson (nil percent), Mike Ruddock (65 percent).

ANDY ROBINSON (Scotland – since 2009):

Following his less than successful tenure as England coach Robinson was named the new head coach of Scotland in June 2009. Robinson played as an openside flank for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions. He was head coach of England from October 2004 until November 2006, then coach of Edinburgh and joint coach of Scotland A between October 2007 and June 2009.

While consistency remains a problem for his Scotland team, Robinson has claimed some famous scalps – Australia (in only his second Test), a first-ever series win in Argentina last year) and a Springbok win last November. His overall record stands at 50 percent (10 wins from 20 starts), and a home record of 53.8 percent (seven from 13). Against Tier One teams he has just 28.6 percent (those two wins against the Wallabies and Boks in seven starts).

Against World Cup pool opponents:
v Romania (he has not faced Romania)
v Georgia (he has not faced Georgia)
v Argentina (66.7 percent – two from three)
v England (zero – nought from two)

How he compares to his predecessors: Frank Hadden (39 percent), Matt Williams (17 percent), Ian McGeechan (41 percent).

SANTIAGO PHELAN (Argentina – since 2008):

Phelan took over the Puma job in March 2008, when Marcelo Loffreda stepped down after the highly successful 2007 World Cup campaign – which saw Argentina finish with bronze and rise to a all-time high of fourth on the IRB rankings. The will be the first big test for a relatively inexperienced coach. As a [layer Phelan’s finest hour came at Lens in the 1999 World Cup, when they beat Ireland. Quitting after the 2003 World Cup, Phelan turned to coaching with Club Atlético San Isidro before succeeding Loffreda.

He has struggled to repeat the successes of his predecessor, Loffreda. Despite starting with a win over Scotland, he went five matches for his next win and it was not till June last year that he managed his first back-to-back victories. Phelan stands at a poor 31.6 percent (six wins from 19 starts) and even his home record doesn’t get him a pass mark – 42.9 percent (three from seven). It is far worse against Tier One teams – 28.6 percent (two from seven, both at home).

Against World Cup pool opponents:
v England (33.3 percent – one from three)
v Romania (he has not faced Romania)
v Scotland (40 percent – two from five)
v Georgia (he has not faced Georgia)

How he compares to his predecessors: Marcelo Loffreda (59 percent), Alex Wyllie (57 percent), Jose Luis Imhoff (36 percent).

* Other coaches at a glance:

KIERAN CROWLEY (Canada – since 2008):
One of the many New Zealanders to be coaching at the 2011 World Cup but only one of two to have actually won a World Cup – Japan’s John Kirwan is the other. Crowley played fullback in the All Blacks side that won the inaugural event in 1987, ending his career at the 1991 event. He coached Taranaki for a decade and was an All Black selector. Crowley knows what to look for in a player; Canada will be hoping he knows how to extract it in full.

JOHN KIRWAN (Japan – since 2007):
Kirwan, who helped New Zealand win the inaugural World Cup in 1987 as a fleet-footed wing and scored 67 tries in 63 Test matches, ended his playing career in 2001 after three seasons with Japan’s Top League side NEC. He coached Italy from 2002 to 2005, guiding the Azzurri to the 2003 World Cup in Australia and then signed as Japan’s coach in January 2007. The All Blacks legend helped Japan put an end to a 13-match losing streak at the 2007 World Cup with a draw against Canada. Japan still have only one win, one draw and 18 defeats from their previous six tournaments.

ISITOLO MAKA (Tonga – since 2010):
A former All Blacks back row forward who played four Tests in 1998, Maka became one of the youngest international coaches last year when he took over the Tongan coaching role at the age of 35. He sees a challenging performance against the All Blacks in the World Cup opener as vital to showcase the development of Tongan rugby. “This is a once in a lifetime [opportunity] to have the opening game. We all respect New Zealand as the number one rugby nation. For me as a coach I just like to challenge myself against the best.”

RICHIE DIXON (Georgia – since 2010):
If experience counts for anything then the ‘Lelos’ are in good hands. Dixon, who came on board last summer after working as an IRB development advisor, has been around the block a few times. Captain of Scotland A during his playing days he was on Scotland’s coaching staff at the 1995 World Cup before taking over as head coach for three years. There is no doubt Georgia’s clash with Scotland is heavily ringed in red ink. “I have a lot of respect for Andy [Robinson], he’s a great coach but when it comes to the day I will be trying to beat him and beat Scotland. But they will be aware that we are a potential banana skin so I expect it to be a pretty fierce match.”

ROMEO GONTINEAC (Romania – since 2010):
This marks a fifth successive World Cup for Gontineac, albeit his first as coach. Captain in the last two editions, the former centre certainly knows how to handle the tournament. “He comes with plenty of experience, he has brought on the young players and I can see real progress,” says No.8 Ovidiu Tonita. Whether he has the coaching experience to plot the downfall of Georgia and Scotland remains to be seen – although the presence by his side of former All Black prop Steve McDowell, a World Cup winner in 1987, should be a real boost.

NICK MALLETT (Italy – since 2007):
It is hard not to feel sorry for the South African who is held in high esteem by his players and has taken the team forwards in great strides but already knows the World Cup will be his Italian swansong. Mallett has turned Italy into a highly competitive side. The pack is now among the most respected in the world and the backs are steadily improving. And yet the former South Africa coach, who took the Boks to the semis in 1999, is being dumped after the tournament by the Italian Federation – but it is hard to see how his replacement Jacques Brunel will do any better.

NIKOLAY NERUSH (Russia – since 2009):
Nerush is the man at the helm, the titular coach, but the spotlight is likely to fall more on Kingsley Jones, who succeeded Steve Diamond as Director of Rugby. The Welshman was coach of Sale Sharks when they won the English Premiership in 2006 but has taken a step back from the front line to help the Russians – he is contracted through to the end of next year. As a defence coach specialist he has made them a tighter unit. Henry Paul, a dual international with New Zealand rugby league and England rugby union, is the backs coach while another Welshman Darren Morris, a British and Irish Lion, is in charge of the forwards.

EDDIE O’SULLIVAN (United States – since 2009):
One of the most experienced international coaches around having had a seven-year stint in charge of Ireland which included the 2003 and 2007 World Cups – the latter is an experience he would prefer to forget as their first round exit cost him the job. Now back with the Eagles for a second spell, having been assistant to Jack Clarke at the 1999 World Cup. “It will be very strange to be up against Ireland but it isn’t the first time,” he says. “My first game in charge of the Eagles in 2009 was against Ireland in Santa Clara and back in 1999 when I was assistant coach, we also played against Ireland.”

SAMU DOMONI (Fiji – since 2009):
Domoni, who played six internationals for Fiji at lock before a stint with the NSW Waratahs, replaced Ilivasi Tabua in 2009 on the strength of his expertise in rugby technology and came recommended by the Australian Rugby Union. He has concentrated on monitoring the players’ fitness levels. “They can travel from the other side of the globe but they still have to pass the fitness test. It is a very busy year and there is no room for passengers,” he said. Has had an awkward prelude to the tournament with the New Zealand government barring members of the Fiji military – following the coup in 2006.

JOHAN DIERGAARDT (Namibia – since 2008):
Chairman of the national selectors committee for the past two World Cups, Diergaardt has been in charge of the Welwitschias since 2008 and surprised Namibians when he led the national team to the IRB Nations Cup title in Romania a year ago. Diergaardt has won back-to-back league titles with local side Western Suburbs, but the World Cup is a different matter and he will need to use all of his experience if Namibia are to snatch their first ever victory at a World Cup. Fiji have already been designated as the team they think they can beat.

FUIMAONO TITIMAEA TAFUA (Samoa – since 2009):
Tafua forged his coaching reputation with the Samoa Sevens side and masterminded their first win in the IRB series when they won the Wellington leg in 2007. Two years later he was appointed the Manu Samoa head coach. Tafua, a former Manu Samoa and Samoa sevens captain, said his World Cup goal is “to go back to the quarterfinals”. He has already raised Samoan expectations following a famous win over Australia in Sydney in July.

rugby365.com & AFP