LET’S DO IT AGAIN: Sir Graham Henry reckons Richie McCaw and his All Blacks can repeat their 2011 World Cup heroics next year.

Sir Graham Henry believes Steve Hansen’s All Blacks have the ingredients to carry out a historic defence of the Rugby World Cup at next year’s tournament in England.

Henry delivered New Zealand their second World Cup at home in 2011 following their victory as hosts of the inaugural tournament in 1987.

No team has won back-to-back titles and no All Blacks side has triumphed away from home.

But, a year out from next year’s tournament, Henry is backing the current side to buck history.

“For sure, but it won’t be easy,” warned Henry who oversaw the quarterfinal disaster in 2007 before redeeming himself.

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The Cardiff cock-up against France was New Zealand’s worst offshore Cup campaign in a list that includes three semifinals (1991, 1999 and 2003) and the 1995 final.

“We’ve never done it before,” Henry said of the dual target in front of the current team.

“We’ve had the opportunity to do it before and we’ve looked like we’ve had the team to do it before and it’s never happened. I’ve been involved in that sort of stuff.

“Nobody thinks it’s going to be easy but it’s an opportunity and this side is playing very well. It’s a big ladder to climb and hopefully they can do the job.”

Henry said the external pressures of arriving in England as defending champions and probably the No 1 ranked side with a remarkable record in the leadup to the tournament would be “immense” but needed to be embraced.

“That’s why we have never won away from home. But that’s why this is so exciting. But it’s going to be a major, major challenge.”

Henry believes Hansen’s team have a powerful mix of ingredients to help them complete their mission – experience, mental strength, a blend of exciting young talent and continued innovations.

Henry has been delighted with the team’s progress since he handed over the reins to Hansen three years ago.

He has great pride in that seamless transition and believes the continuity has been a key with Hansen also surviving the early 2007 exit to push on with now 11 years in the All Blacks coaching setup.

“Smithy [former assistant coach Wayne Smith] and I are very proud of that team and what was created and what continues to be fine-tuned and get better,” Henry said.

“That’s the whole thing – it’s about individual and team improvement and they continue to do that. I think a lot of that is about continuity of people – in the management and the players.

“I look at the team and a lot of those guys who are still in the top XV played the World Cup final. So the continuity of people has been immense to the success of that side.”

Henry has no doubt that the big growth area in the All Blacks has been their mental fortitude, resulting in their ability to close out close games like the last World Cup final, the Dublin test against Ireland last year and even last week’s nail biter against the Springboks in Wellington.

“It’s something that has been a major focus for the team, probably since the 2007 World Cup.

“I think it’s probably one of the strategies that has been the most positive, the All Blacks are displaying an edge that others aren’t quite managing at the moment.”

It’s why Henry says experienced players must be retained in the World Cup squad, despite some advancing years.

“You look at this rugby team now and the experience, not only Steve but players…. you have a lot of guys who have been involved in a lot of test matches.

“That intellectual property and ability to know what you need to do out there is immense.

“But apart from the experience there is tons of ability – look at Kieran Read.

“So it’s a very strong rugby side that has been through the mill and know what’s required. There is no substitute for that.”

Henry believes the next World Cup will be hugely competitive.

“You have teams like England and South Africa showing they can foot it; I think Australia are going to get better when they get injured players, especially experienced ones, to add composure.

“Joe Schmidt has galvanised the Irish and shown they can play. They enjoy him and he’s a bloody good coach.

“I’m sure Warren Gatland thinks he’s got a sniff with Wales.

“It’s going to be a major tournament and that’s what World Cups are about. They are extremely hard to win, but they are exciting.”

Henry will be present at the next tournament, as an official All Blacks tour ambassador along with Stephen Donald, the penalty-kicking cult hero from the 2011 triumph.