The former All Black coach was in Dunedin yesterday, and attended the Halberg Sporting Lunch, along with another former All Black coach, Sir Brian Lochore.
Henry, who is now part of the Blues coaching team under Sir John Kirwan, said the winless Highlanders were like any New Zealand Super 15 team in that they were giving their all.
''I think any rugby team in this country at that level is playing bloody hard and they are no exception. And they have some very good people associated with the team and they have some very good players,'' he said.
''They just need the bounce, don't they? They need a couple of wins under their belt and that will really help them. Hopefully, for them, it is not far away.''
Henry was the All Black coach for eight years, climaxing in winning the World Cup in 2011, which he acknowledged was a great way to go out.
He is in charge of defence at the Blues and said age - he is 66 - was not wearying him.
''I just enjoy coaching. I enjoy the game and it keeps me young. Do not judge the book by the cover. It keeps me young to mix with 20-year-olds, 30-year-olds.
''I have been coaching since 1973, 40 years. It is still stimulating to try and work out how you are going to beat the other fellas. How do you combat their ability and exploit their weaknesses to win a game of footy? That still pushes my button.''
He said it was natural to miss aspects of the All Black job now he was no longer involved.
''It was a privilege, a huge privilege. I had 104 tests but it was time to move on. Rule off and move on, but it was a great way to finish.
''There is not much I don't miss. I am just delighted they are still building the foundations. The All Blacks are about getting better every year. Steve [Hansen] is doing that, and long may it continue.''
Hansen would face some tough calls this year as his squad ages but Henry said those sorts of calls were faced every year.
''It is a matter of introducing those guys at the correct time. Some of those guys will not be ready despite them playing very well at the level below.
''Steve is very astute at this sort of stuff. He will make sure he will introduce some new players at just the right time.''
Henry said it was never easy dropping players.
''There is no silver bullet or magic wand there. You've just got to do it as best you can so it keeps the dignity of the people you are involved with. You go through some challenging times and you get very close to some people.
''But you have got a job to do and that job is to pick the top New Zealand team and win test matches so you need to make judicious decisions and do the job as best you can.''
He said it took a while to get used to not being a head coach and he was not getting too carried away with the Blues' efforts so far.
''They have won four games out of seven. It is early days. There is a good culture in this group ... the big test is going to next Saturday week against the Reds in Brisbane.''
