RugbyL: All Blacks World Cup-winning coach Henry switches codes

World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Graham Henry is taking his talents to rugby league, announcing Tuesday he has teamed up with the Warriors in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL).

Henry, who guided the All Blacks to the 2011 World Cup after stints with Wales and the British and Irish Lions, will be with the Warriors for the next month working with coach Andrew McFadden, the struggling New Zealand-based club said,

"I've got a lot of time for him as a coach and I also really enjoy his company," Henry said.

"We've had some healthy discussions about coaching previously and I'm thrilled to have the chance to be able to work with him, to observe the organisation and to provide some feedback."

The Warriors have had a chequered history in the NRL and this season lie 10th of 16 teams with four wins from nine matches.

Six players were recently dropped for breaching team protocols amid allegations five of them drank a mixture of prescription drugs and energy drinks on a night out after a 42-0 hiding by the Melbourne Storm.

The cocktail reportedly achieves an amphetamine-like high without breaching doping rules.

Three of the players, with international pedigree, were subsequently left out of the New Zealand team beaten 16-0 by Australia last Friday.

McFadden said he had considered a number of options before calling on Henry.

"In the end we were really fortunate to be able to secure (Henry's) services," McFadden said.

"It's a real privilege to have him involved and I know it's going to be hugely beneficial not only for me personally but for the squad as a whole."

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