Henry: "I am reasonably confident"
Cardiff
July 25, 2000

Wales coach Graham Henry recently returned from a look-see mission to Australia. Henry, wearing his British Lions hat, now believes that the composite British and Ireland side can be triumphant Down Under next summer.

New Zealander Henry saw two matches on his trip, the Mandela Challenge, in which Australia beat South Africa in Melbourne; and the opening match of the Tri Nations in Sydney, now considered a classic, in which New Zealand beat the Aussies at the death.

The ex-Auckland Blues coach told the Western Mail: "What my being in Australia highlighted was it is going to be a hugely competitive and difficult tour. Australia's performances against South Africa and New Zealand reinforced that. The way in which Australia came back from 24-0 down against New Zealand to lead was quite incredible.

"I was sitting with the Australian officials and you could have heard a pin drop when they went 24 points behind.

"Coming back like that was a real show of character. The game was played at an incredible speed with incredible skill.

"It was the best game of rugby I have seen with unbelievable fitness levels and intensity."

Henry will be hoping to repeat the feat of Ian McGeechan who coached the Lions to success in Australia in 1989. The twelve match tour is scheduled to take place in May and June of next year.

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