Henry confident ahead of Lions tour to New Zealand

GRAHAM HENRY looked forward to next year’s British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand with understandable confidence after seeing his second-string side complete the All Blacks’ European tour with a convincing 47-19 win against the Barbarians at Twickenham.

New Zealand coach Henry retained just two players full-back Malili Muliaina and right wing Doug Howlett from the starting side that overwhelmed Six Nations champions France 45-6 last week.

However, against a Barbarians side boasting some 400 caps and nine of the Wallabies who were involved in the 21-19 win against world champions England at Twickenham seven days earlier, Henry saw his 'baby Blacks' run in seven tries to their star-studded opponents' three.