Rugby World Cup 2011: Graham Henry regrets the final not between Wales and New Zealand

The New Zealand coach, who helped restore some of Welsh rugby’s old lustre during a four-year spell in charge from 1998-2002, had evidently quite fancied the idea of a reunion with some old friends in what he felt would have been a “great final”.

Asked if he had been disappointed that Warren Gatland’s team had not managed to reach the final, Henry said: “Yes, I thought they were good enough and they’ll be very disappointed they didn’t make the Rugby World Cup final.”

Henry, who once led Wales to 11 successive Test victories but never quite managed to fashion the great era which had seemed to beckon, added: “I’ve been there before with Welsh rugby and sometimes they don’t quite do the business.

“They had the opportunity, missed a number of kicks and perhaps a try or two, so the opportunity was there but, unfortunately, it didn’t happen. So, yes, disappointed. It would have been a great final.”

This was not meant as a slight on the All Blacks’ final opponents, France, though. Everyone else beyond the New Zealand dressing room may appear to be writing off their chances and the bookies have the All Blacks down as practically unbackable 1-10 favourites, yet Henry is adamant that his side have to pay proper respect to a team which he believes have the capacity to be the best in the world on their day.

“Although the French didn’t play very well against Wales, we know they have the ability to play outstanding rugby and they’ve done that in the past. They will have nothing to lose on Sunday and they will play well,” Henry said.

Naturally, Henry has never quite shaken off the memory of the worst single defeat of his 102-game coaching career with the All Blacks. The shadow of the shocking quarter-final defeat by Les Bleus in 2007, which proved so calamitous that it is a wonder Henry ever got this second chance, hangs ominously over the final.

“It was the most bizarre game I’ve ever been involved with, a game that cause some people a lot of pain,” he recalled, while refusing to elaborate on its strangeness presumably because he did not want to reignite the popular idea here that the refereeing of Englishman Wayne Barnes was the reason for the defeat.

Henry reflected that of the 10 matches he had overseen for the All Blacks against France, he had won eight and lost two. Since the loss in Cardiff in 2007, the French also earned a 27-22 win in Dunedin two years ago, a not inconsiderable achievement considering the All Blacks have since launched a run of 16 straight home victories.

Still, though, Henry is clearly confident that “the most experienced All Blacks team that’s ever played the game”, one that impressively snuffed out the threat of Australia here on Sunday, are still improving.

“This group’s been together for a long time,” Henry said. “We try to get better at the things we do, on or off the field. I think they’re relating very well to the public, trying to make sure the people who come in contact with the All Blacks enjoy themselves and get something out of it. And because of the experience, they’re getting better on the field, too.”

Henry was delighted with the choice of referee for the final, describing South African Craig Joubert, who also officiated the New Zealand-Australia semi-final, as “probably the best in the world”.

“It’s pleasing because I think the players enjoy playing when he’s refereeing and that’s the sign of a good referee. He relates well, communicates well and makes good decisions, which is critical.”