Henry wary of the Twickenham factor
“We look at history and the All Blacks have often struggled at Twickenham,” he said.
“We struggled there last year. We didn’t play particularly well and we were pleased to get out of it, to be quite frank. We expect another huge game on Sunday.
“England are the world champions and have a very good rugby team. We have a lot of respect for them.
“The fact they’re so good is the major reason we don’t have such a good record at Twickenham.
“There are also 80,000 vocal supporters cheering them on which I think is great. It really helps them and England rise to the occasion when they have that sort of support.”
Hooker Anton Oliver stoked up the tension ahead of Sunday’s showdown by branding England supporters “ignorant” and “arrogant” and claiming they still regard Australia and New Zealand as a “large penal colony”.
Former Wales coach Henry distanced himself from the remarks by stating rugby crowds are the same the world over.
“I enjoyed Wembley when I went there with Wales but I didn’t enjoy Twickenham because we got stuffed badly,” he said.
“The crowds are the same all over the world. Some of them are superb in their sportsmanship and others are not so good. That’s the case in New Zealand, South Africa, England or anywhere else.
“That’s a generalisation which will cause some interest over here. It’s a personal opinion.”
Oliver has been spared the wrath of the Twickenham hordes on Sunday thanks to his omission from the squad to face England, announced yesterday at the team’s hotel in Kensington.
Nick Evans has been named at fly-half but is struggling with a hamstring injury. Henry rates him 50-50 — and he could be forced to withdraw, with an update expected today.
Dan Carter will be promoted from the bench if Evans fails to recover in time, with Leon MacDonald ready to fill the vacancy among the substitutes.
Henry has selected a powerful line-up, led by Richie McCaw, that sees hard man Keith Robinson returning.
Robinson, who only recently recovered from a long-term back injury, is included despite having played just five matches for Waikato at the business end of the domestic season.
Chris Jack will start alongside Robinson at lock while Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu and Tony Woodcock make up Henry’s first-choice front row.
Ma’a Nonu and Aaron Mauger will form the centre partnership with Rico Gear and Joe Rokocoko starting on the wings.
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