Henry makes Aussie blunder

Speaking ahead of Saturday's decisive Tri-Nations encounter between the teams in Brisbane, the 65-year-old New Zealand coach said "Have they ever lifted it [the trophy]?"

When reminded of Australia's back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2001, Henry made a good fist of appearing genuinely surprised.

"I do apologise. Oh, they have done it!" he said.

Defending champions New Zealand have a chance to win their 11th Tri-Nations title at Brisbane's Lang Park on Saturday in what will be both teams' last Test run-out before the World Cup, taking place in New Zealand from September 9-October 23.

New Zealand are in World Cup Pool A, alongside France, Tonga, Japan and Canada, whilst Australia are in Pool C with Ireland, Italy, Russia and the United States.

The All Blacks hammered Australia 30-14 in their opening encounter of this year's Tri-Nations tournament and have named a near-full strength side to take on the world's second-ranked side, who find themselves in contention for the title for the first time in years.

In response, Wallabies prop Ben Alexander was a model of diplomacy and would not be goaded into asking whether Henry's memory extended to 1987 -- the last and only time the All Blacks won the World Cup.

"As far as his knowledge goes ... he's been around for a long time and ... It's an honest mistake. He's a very respectful guy," he told reporters.