Sir Graham Henry reveals match fixing suspicion

Sir Graham Henry's made public a stunning suspicion he's kept close to his chest for the past five years.

The former All Blacks coach thought match fixing may have been at play at the 2007 Rugby World Cup - and the All Blacks were the victims.

The All Blacks weren't awarded a single penalty in the last 60 minutes of their quarter final loss to France, and a questionable pass led to a French try late in the piece.

In an interview with Tony Veitch on Radio Sport, Sir Graham Henry says he took his suspicions to the NZRU shortly after the tournament.

"They told me to pull my head in and relax and get on with it, and quite frankly that advice was the correct advice, because if I'd actually kept going down that path I would never have coached the All Blacks again."

In the interview, Sir Graham says something didn't feel right about the game.

He says after reviewing the game after the fact, he thought the NZRU agreed with him.

"I think it had a significant bearing on the reappointment. I think the board members got a hell of a shock when they watched it. So I think it was significant. I didn't think I'd get reappointed to be quite frank, I thought Robbie would get the job."

Sports journalist Ian Borthwick says looking at the stats and figures from the game, it was extremely bizarre.

"Suddenly France became the most disciplined team in history of international rugby. At the same time perhaps a little disappointing that they would come out with this, a negative feeling, so long after the event."

Mr Borthwick says while it's a big allegation, there's a feeling if - as the host nation - France was eliminated at the quarter final, things would have gone pear-shaped.

Former world cup winning Springbok Joel Stransky says there's no doubt the All Blacks got a few tough decisions go against them during the game.

However, he says if a team is good enough, they overcome one or two bad decisions.

"I think there will be a lot of people out there saying it is sour grapes, it is unnecessary. It's five years later and all of a sudden now all these allegations - why didn't you come out with them before?"

Mr Stransky says it's a very strong allegation which won't endear Sir Graham Henry to the rugby public.

The allegation's come in a book the former All Blacks coach has written, which is due for release tomorrow.

Hear the full interview between Graham Henry and Tony Veitch on Radio Sport tomorrow morning.