Henry happy as All Blacks’ tryfest destroys plucky Portugal

LAST week, All Black coach Graham Henry was asked for his prediction on the South Africa v England game.

“It will be 40 points each, a classic, and rugby will be the winner,” he intoned with a smile, in that dry, laconic way of his. It wasn’t, of course, never even close. This game in Lyon on Saturday did turn out as predicted, however. A 95-point hammering for Portugal, definitely not a classic, and yet — no joking here — rugby most definitely was the winner.

The All Blacks scored 16 tries, they were the ones with all the world rugby stars, the ones with the power, pace and panache.