OPINION: There are times when the All Blacks coach’s lot must be a happy one. Wins eight times out of 10. Nice seats on the plane. Best suites at the hotel. And the holidays aren’t half bad.

By MARC HINTON – Sunday Star Times

Then there are times when your life must get so complicated and so darn worrying that, gee, that long, hot summer swanning round your slice of paradise on Waiheke must seem like an eternity ago.

It’s hard to see how right now Graham Henry isn’t veering more towards the latter category than the former. That his job isn’t living up to its reputation as the most demanding in New Zealand.

The All Blacks coach, like the Prime Minister, is paid to worry. A lot. That is to say, he’s paid a lot, but he also gets to worry a lot. No other sporting figure in New Zealand faces more pressure to win, or more expectation to do so in style. More so, Henry knows better than anyone that history will judge him on one thing and one thing only — whether his team lifts that shiny gold trophy in just under 500 days’ time.

He’s had one crack, and failed. That’s simply not an option this time round.

Thus the worrying. Henry is coming up to his last full international campaign before World Cup year rolls round, and must settle on his squad makeup and make the call on any fresh talent that may, or may not, be worth including. It’s a time when he must arrive at some fairly important conclusions, both in terms of personnel and playing style.

And right now if Henry was the superstitious type, he might be a little concerned with how his moons are aligning. Certainly by the dark clouds that seem to be gathering in his crystal ball.

Jeepers, there are times that this job weighs heavily on good old Uncle Ted. It strains his normally delightful sense of humour and cheery disposition. Sometimes it can even make him grumpy.

Like now. It’s hard to see how the All Blacks coach isn’t lying awake at night wondering if he isn’t observing some sort of ugly trend that’s going to see the biggest party this country has ever known ending in tears.

Not to be a party-poor or anything. But Henry’s year hasn’t exactly started rip-roaringly.

His Super 14 teams are struggling to put together quality performances from one week to next. A fortnight out from the end of the round-robin there’s the distinct possibility that there will be no New Zealand semifinalists.

Not in itself a killer blow. But certainly a disturbing trend. Who’s setting the pulses racing in this competition? The Stormers. The Bulls. The Reds. That’s who. Certainly not our lot, all of whom appear off the pace at the sharp end of things.

Then there’s injuries. The opposition to consider. And a few problem positions cropping up.

So, for what it’s worth, here’s my stab at the top 10 things keeping Graham Henry awake at night:

1 Injuries. He’s already lost Ali Williams, Jason Eaton, Corey Flynn and Sitiveni Sivivatu for the year, and has Mils Muliaina and Tom Donnelly not due back till close to June. At a time when All Black depth is more paddling pool than diving well, these are worrying defections. Plus, Williams now requires a third surgery on his Achilles, further delaying any potential return date. Sivivatu must also be a worry given a) his importance; and b) the serial nature of his afflictions. Injuries are part of the deal in this sport, but Henry does not need any more of his heavy-hitters going down long-term.

2 The Crusaders. The old reliables are in full wobble mode and this can’t be a good sign. They could still sneak into the semis, but have their work cut out now and there are some strange goings-on in their midst. Dan Carter is awful, Richie McCaw is ineffective and even the tight five is struggling to impose its will on people. They’re playing with little discipline and are getting badly beaten at the breakdown. Plus their basics are letting them down. The All Black axis comes from this team, and right now it’s a less than rigid one.

3 The South Africans. The Bulls, Stormers and latterly Sharks are all playing outstanding, winning rugby. We all figured the Boks didn’t have four more years in them after peaking in ’07. Could we be wrong? Certainly the way Andries Bekker, Fourie du Preez, Schalk Burger, Victor Matfield, Jaque Fourie and many, many others are playing, Peter de Villiers is going to have an embarrassment of riches at his disposal next year. More so they play a consistent brand that they believe in, is established and they execute beautifully.

4 The young Wallabies. Will Genia could be the most exciting young player in world rugby but there’s a lot more than a classy, X-factor halfback on Robbie Deans’ list. Quade Cooper could be the No 10 he’s been looking for, allowing Matt Giteau to operate where he’s most effective, they have a cast of improving loose forwards coming through, some big second-rowers playing well and a loosehead prop being touted as the best in the business. The TAB believes in Deans’ new wave, and they could start paying dividends this year.

5 Halfback. The rivals may have the best in the business, but right now New Zealand’s No 9s are not setting the world on fire. Jimmy Cowan is top option, but remains a flawed player who relies more on grit than greatness. Three ABs from last year — Piri Weepu, Andy Ellis and Brendon Leonard — can’t even get starts for their Super 14 sides and the form guy is Alby Mathewson, who has yet to play a test.

6 Tighthead prop. The coaches wanted Carl Hayman. Badly. But they didn’t get him, and won’t bend their rules to allow him to play from offshore. That leaves Neemia Tialata’s dodgy knees, Owen Franks’ inexperience and John Afoa’s suspect scrummaging. Hayman they ain’t.

7 No 8. Kieran Read has played well there for the All Blacks. But who else is there? Er, the ageing Rodney So’oialo. A real concern.

8 Backup options. There’s a reason Daniel Braid has just agreed to come back. The plan to find a successor/backup to McCaw has not worked. Same with Dan Carter, except last I heard Nick Evans hasn’t signed anything with Steve Tew’s signature on it. Does anybody remember Cardiff?

9 The forwards. Let’s be honest. There’s no collective menace about the All Black pack as it shapes now. That has to be found over this season. And with Steve Hansen back in charge.

10 Dad’s Army. Brad Thorn, Rodney So’oialo, Andrew Hore, Keven Mealamu and Mils Muliaina are all the other side of 30. Do they have two more big campaigns in them? Others in the national squad have a lot of miles on the clock. At the very least workloads must be managed.