Welsh win proves tonic for Henry

Henry said: 'There's been pressures on the entire squad and there's been a bit of pressure on me, too. In a job like this you've got to have some tenacity. You've got to hang in there and work hard at it.'

With a £250,000-a-year contract taking him beyond the 2003 World Cup, the prospect of Henry being pushed or leaving was remote, and there was little danger that Tonga would explore that possibility any further.

The only danger the Pacific islanders did pose was physical, their renowned tackling bordering on the illegal throughout. Clive Griffiths, Wales' defensive coach, said: 'They live on the edge. They've got a great knack of hitting you just as you let the ball go.'

It was an education for Iestyn Harris, playing in the centre for most of his second union international and taking his fair share of late hits as he found life far more to his liking than at fly half against Argentina the previous week.

Once four of Harris's five penalties had given Wales a half- time cushion, and Tongan indiscipline had reduced them to 13 men for a time in the second half before centre Gus Leger was sent off for stamping, the home side were able to stretch away.

Four of the six tries came in the last 20 minutes, the two from Jamie Robinson and Rhys Williams being the pick and showing the flair the Welsh do have behind the scrum.

Many of the problems remain and Australia will have no trouble finding them, but the win has given Wales some breathing space.

'The boys played with a knife at their throat today,' said Griffiths. Those trying to stab Henry in the back will have to wait a while yet.