Saturday’s semifinal between Wales and France and Sunday’s match between New Zealand and Australia will kickoff at 9 p.m. local time, as will the final on Oct. 23.
Henry said the late starts, delayed for European TV audiences, would require some personal adjustment because “I’m usually asleep by then.”
Henry said New Zealand had previously faced 9 p.m. starts to test matches in France, but added, “I think it’s challenging.”
“Someone will have to wake me up and tell me the game’s started ... true, it’s not a joke it’s a true statement,” said the 65-year-old former High School headmaster, who will rely on his co-coaches to keep him sharp. “So I guess Steve (Hansen) and Wayne (Smith) will wake me up before the game starts.
“But the players will probably be awake, I think.”
Experienced All Blacks center Conrad Smith said the New Zealanders were taking steps to prepare themselves for the late starts.
“It takes a bit of getting used to,” he said. “7.30 is a long enough day and 8.30 was getting a bit stupid and now it’s 9 o’clock. You just have to adapt.
“We train a bit later during the week and things like that but it’s just an individual thing. You just have an extra hour or so to kill in the morning and different guys treat it differently. Some guys get out of the hotel. There are usually family and friends up watching the game and there’s usually time with them. I don’t think it will be too much of a problem.”
