Message: To the All Blacks and Graham Henry
From: The Silverfern website

Gentlemen,

As an informal, global online rugby community, we would like to register our unequivocal support for The All Blacks – players, coaches and support staff - as you embark on a new season.

We appreciate that the aftermath of the World Cup has been a difficult time and that the pressures on many of you have been severe. It is the nature of life to deal out the disappointments along with the celebrations and no doubt you feel these more strongly than we do.

Such is the strength of the All Black tradition and your successes over the years that sometimes the public and a sensation-seeking media can seem unforgiving, particularly in relation to the World Cup.

But we thought it was important that you be aware that thousands of All Black fans around the world (and even some fans of other teams!) are wishing you well, are grateful for your extraordinary efforts through the years and appreciate your sensational performances.

The fact is Messrs Henry, Hansen and Smith have much to be proud of since taking over the coaching role in 2004 and those great achievements will never be forgotten. For the players, we recognise that Richie McCaw gives everything for the black jersey and is a constant inspiration to those he leads.

Holding the long-term mantle of the world's best in any sport generates expectations. Sometimes those expectations are unrealistic; so much so that the public can start to believe that you are not flesh and blood human beings. Against that background, your continuing passion, pride and professionalism under unrelenting pressure are all the more commendable.

As Martin Luther King once said, we must accept finite disappointment, but we must never lose infiinite hope.

We are with you every moment.

Go the All Blacks!

Add yourself to the list on the fourm here