All Blacks coach suspected match-fixing after 2007 World Cup loss

A biography of Sir Graham Henry reveals the former All Blacks coach suspected match-fixing after his team's shock loss to France in the quarter-finals of the 2007 World Cup and urged the New Zealand Rugby Union to press for an international inquiry.

In Graham Henry: Final Word, due to be published this week, biographer Bob Howitt says Henry briefly considered match-fixing as the only explanation for the All Blacks' 20-18 defeat.

Henry says when he analysed the match he found English referee Wayne Barnes had awarded New Zealand only two penalties, although he counted more than 40 potential offences committed by France. France was also awarded a try from a forward pass.

Henry says he found it "incomprehensible" that rugby had no procedures in place to investigate "bizarre" results in major matches.