Australia coach Eddie Jones was surprised at the New Zealand Rugby Union's (NZRU) decision to replace John Mitchell with Graham Henry as the coach of the All Blacks today.
"I'm a bit surprised," Jones was quoted as saying. "I thought John Mitchell's record was impeccable over his time as All Blacks coach. Obviously he lost a game New Zealand deemed to be more important than the rest of the games he won while he was in charge."
The NZRU threw the job open after the team's World Cup semi-final defeat by tournament hosts Australia last month, citing Mitchell's difficult relationship with the media and sponsors as the main factor behind the decision rather than his record.
Henry, a former Wales and British Lions coach, has signed an initial two-year contract. Despite his surprise at Mitchell's removal, Jones was fulsome in his praise of the new All Blacks coach.
"Graham's a great coach and has proved himself one of the best in the world," said Jones, whose side lost to England in the World Cup final.
"They (New Zealand) are still one of the strongest teams in the world and I don't think there will be anything particularly different in how they play.
"But Graham is a very astute coach tactically so it will be interesting to see."