New Zealand knights World Cup-winning rugby coach

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -Rugby World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Graham Henry has been awarded a knighthood in New Zealand's annual New Year Honors List as the rugby-mad nation continues to celebrate its first world title in 24 years.

The 65-year-old former school teacher, who resigned the All Blacks coaching job after the World Cup final in October, is now Sir Graham Henry and the latest of a handful of former players or coaches to receive one of New Zealand's highest honors.

Martin Snedden, the former test cricketer who headed the company that organized the World Cup, has been made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, one step down from a knighthood.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw was also offered a knighthood but declined.