With all the rumours about Mr Henson packing in rugby there has been an awful lot of rubbish written and said about him. A simple browsing of rugby forums (even great ones such as Rugby Dungeon) will show you that he creates a lot of feeling, both for and against him.
But it is my opinion that a lot of the people who are anti-Henson seem to be arguing their case without actually bothering with any facts. They make accusations without being fully aware, or possibly even interested, in just what Gavin Henson has done. The usual accusation is ‘other than one kick vs England what has he done?’.
Well lets look
- Two Grand Slams
- British Lion
- Massive win ratio for Wales
Thats internationally. Of course there is always the Ospreys – a lot of people say ‘what’s he done for the ospreys’? there is a feeling that he hasn’t done much at regional level. So lets consider that for a moment.
- Two Magners League titles
- An Anglo-Welsh cup
So thats what he’s won. But obviously its not all about wins for the team, so what about him personally?
- Ospreys record points scorer
- 2nd highest try scorer for the ospreys (behind only Shane Williams)
- 98 appearances for the Ospreys, to put that into context Shane Williams is the player with the 5th highest appearances – at 102.
The media whoring? Well he has said time and again that he regrest how he acted early in his career and hates the media attention he now gets. When was the last time you saw him giving indepth interviews or trying to get attention on himself?
Yes he got into trouble for being pissed and then starting on people trying to take photos of him in the 6 Nations. Imagine that, a rugby player getting drunk after a game and then getting annoyed with people taking photos of him without permission. Shoot him.
I ask people who are so determined that Henson is a problem player and a real issue in Welsh rugby, why? Sean Edwards calls him the model professional and a pleasure to coach – and also made him defensive captain. Ian McGeechan is a stated fan, many others recognise the talent and no one involved in the game ever questions his commitment or professionalism.
The only thing close to an issue was his refusal to turn out for Swansea in the Welsh premiership. Whoever decided he should play there should have been shot – it is just asking for a player looking to claim a scalp to go out and injure him. But again we don’t know the ins and outs and are left guessing based on hearsay.
Gavin Henson is a quality player who has been a great asset to the Ospreys Wales. He has achieved a lot and only injuries have held him back time and again.
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Impressive stats – and I will confess that I don’t follow the Osprey’s as closely as I’d perhaps like to, so I wasn’t even aware of these kinds of figures.
Now unfortunately for a rugby follower such as I (be it lightweight, fairweather, whatever) it’s very hard to discern truth from media hype. That’s why I like to read blogs like yours Nick – because you clearly know your sh*t.
BUT – what makes me more “willing” to believe the media angle is watching his, what I can only describe as, petulance displayed on the field when I do get to watch him play. Perhaps I’m old fashioned but I want to see 100% effort from my internationals – that and playing for the team.
Time and time and time again I’ve watched Henson line up for a big hit or fancy move – the showboating Henson – and when it doesn’t come off (as with even the best players it sometimes doesn’t) I so often don’t see him sprinting back to cover defence, but rather ambling. Seemingly ruing what could have been rather than working to dig those teammates out of the cach they’ve just found themselves in.
Now perhaps he’s indeed been unlucky injury wise (although clearly his starting stats for the Ospreys prove me wrong there), but when I hear that his head maybe isn’t right for an international I tend to think back to what I’ve seen with my own two eyes displayed on the pitch and again tend to believe the media angle.
I agree the man has impressive natural talent & real flair. I believe the coaches when they refer to him as a real professional in his approach to training. And I know that on his day he has the ability to turn a game – be that for region or country. But like I’m uneasy carrying a kicker in a side who can’t do a lot else (and yes, the Irish have proved me wrong there too), I don’t like fielding a player when you don’t know whether you’ll get his A or D game. Give me a B game player who works his nuts off every time, because when it’s backs to the wall time I know who’ll dig it out for me.
So when I see a grafter like Shanklin getting on with his job – he’s my kind of go to man every time.
And as for his Grand Slam & Wales win ratio – come on Nick, let’s not go too far the other way. Sure he has had games where he’s played his part well, but there were 14+ other people influencing the result in those games and seasons as well, so let’s not get all media hysterical inferring some ridiculous talismanic power he may have.
Interesting comments Alex, but I do have some issues with it.
Firstly you say you don’t know if he will bring his A or D game – but can you tell me a time when he has played poorly in the 12 position? It’s always 10 or 15 that has seen him struggle – two positions he can do a job in but aren’t his natural place.
As for not trying, I can think of one game – the Quins game this season, which was his first back from injury, where he looked like he wasn’t bothering to get back. In fact Shaun Edwards made him Welsh defensive captain and described him as possibly the best defensive center in teh game. Shaun is not exactly given to priase and certainly wouldn’t make a player not up to the responsibility the lynchpin of a defensive effort.
No one grafts like Shanklin, I am a HUGE Shanks fan (and feel him very under rated as a player) but I do think Henson grafts as well as just about anyone else.
I could stand to be corrected if anyone can point to a number of games where he has been lazy, but to me he works as hard as any number 12 I can think of, Jamie Roberts included (and many people are aware of how highly I rate Roberts as a grafter).
The showboating Henson of old, with big shoulder hits and dodgy defence that wasn’t head on, is, in my opinion, long gone. Henson has matured in the last couple of season – shown by how vocal he gets with Hook, helping guide him where to stand etc (especially early in Hooks career).
Yes Henson can be outspoken, Shaun Edwards also mentions that whilst Henson is a model professional he is not backwards in saying his own mind, but I don’t see that as a problem… by all accounst so is Alun-Wyn jones and Huw Bennett, but AWJ is hyped as the next Welsh captain because of it.
Not saying Gavin has talismanic poperties, or that we win when he plays – but he does bring a huge amount to games and we do win games we might otherwise lose BECAUSE he plays in my opinion. He brings something to our backline that no other player does, and compliments Jones and Shanks superbly. The question will be who misses out from Henson, Shanklin and Roberts. A great problem to have for Wales though
my opinion on Mr H., as I admit, isn’t my most balanced – but the biggest hole is clearly, from reading your comments, that I’m basing my opinion on watching his previous outings for Wales years ago.
It would seem from what you say and report from others as if his petulant days are indeed behind him and perhaps, probably knowing the media scrutiny his return to the national side would clearly have got this past year, he was right to leave any comeback until he was able to give his all without worrying about making a wrong step or twist here or there.
Nick – I am very happily accepting of being put back in my box on this, because if he can indeed realise somewhere close to his potential then all Welsh rugby fans will win, particularly as you point out the wonderfully difficult decision that this would provide for the welsh management. Here’s hoping I get to see the Henson you’ve been watching for the Ospreys don a welsh shirt so I can enjoy my hat with a side of fries.
We have to get past the ‘potential’ because there are too many Welsh quality three-quarters around. I simply cannot garner any respect for a player who makes headlines due to the fact that he ‘hasn’t quit’. He doesn’t kick the big kicks anymore (I wonder why?)and his breaks are very few at international level. He spends more time on the treatment table and his fragile nature means that he is not worth the money at the Ospreys. He needs a big season as I fear that this his last chance.
So its his fault that there are headlines hout him because he may, or may not, have been considering quitting and someone who overheard him went running to the press?
Not value for money for the ospreys? is Shane value for money? Just wonder as Shane only has 4 more appearences, is the only player with more tries and has scored less points. How about Hook who has less in all aspects? Or Ryan Jones? Perhaps even Lee Byrne?
Not making big kicks is a decision made because he has had repeated groin problems and kicking puts significant pressure on that area.
Lets not forget the fact that aside form rugby Henson is worth pure gold to the ospreys in terms of tickets, shirt sales, marketing, sponsor glad handing etc.
Potential? He is a class act when he gets a run of games. there is no potential, it is there and it is talent. The issue is the injuries he has had – and yet no one has a go at Jonny Wilkinson who has had far more injuries than Henson.
Too many Welsh three quarters? Quality Welsh 12′s I can count on two fingers. Gavin Henson and Jamie Roberts. And even then Jamie Roberts is only able to play one type of game (for now, he is developing a more subtle side by the looks of it), Henson can play almost any type. he is good in contact, has a massive kick, tackles very well, has the best passing vision and accuracy I have seen from a 12, a great step and a good eye for the gap.
Can someone please explain to me any of the points that tend to get made
Explain how he isnt value for money for the ospreys
Explain how he has potential, not true talent that he has used
Explain how the press coverage of him weighing up his options is his fault (bet you good money the Ospreys are loving this publicity – coincidence on them allowing it to drag on?)
Explain to me how the Ospreys or Wales would be better off without him
Because I see a lot of people saying things but so far the facts laid out are in the above article, and they favour Henson being a massive asset
The Henson/Ospreys PR machinery did not generate the story? In a world of OK and Hello, high profile celebrities need stories and this was a very much in that vein. Let us not be naive about our No.1 celebrity rugby player.
You cannot even compare Shane Williams to Henson! Shane has also won two grand slams but also became World Player of the Year. That try in the second test against SA last year was professional rugby at the very highest possible level. At what point is Henson going to ‘achieve his potential’ and perform in that manner. Hook is considerably younger (but at least he is still kicking goals) and Lee Byrne has proved over 15 months that he is the top European fullback. Where was Henson in the British Lions No.12 pecking order. Ryan Jones is another case and also needs to have a decent season. Regarding Jonny Wilkinson, he won a world cup and surpassed Neil Jenkins’s kicking record. He might be passed his sell-by date but in his prime, he won matches for England.
I agree with all the assets regarding Henson but it isn’t happening. I would love to have a Welsh No.12 who does all that but this is a professional sport. The whole ‘form is temporary but class is permanent’ is no longer relevant in the modern era. Loss of form can lose you an international. Let’s play players who are performing well. Did Andrew Bishop make more line breaks than Henson last year? Jamie Roberts, Tom Shanklin and even Johnathan Davies did.
How many matches did Henson play for the Ospreys last season? Did he earn his money last season? How can a injury-prone, confidence and form lacking centre on probably one of biggest wages be value for money in a time of financial struggle?
As I said, he needs a big season but I don’t think he has another one in him. He has become an occasional player.
I do hope he proves me wrong, though!
So you automatically decide it was a manufactured story by a player that has avoided a huge amount of interviews in recent times and has publically said he wants the press to leave him alone a lot? Interesting. Based on?
I can compare Shane to Henson for the Ospreys (which is what we were talking about since they pay his money). He only has 4 less appearences and only Shane has scored more tries – and less points.
Henson has repeatedly performed at the highest level. In every Welsh game he has played he has managed control of the game beyond most 12′s. Can you think of a game FROM 12 that he has played badly for Wales, in fact I can only think of one or two where he has been only average.
Jonny won games for England? What do you think Henson has done? Why do you see such a dramatic change in fortunes for when Henson plays for s and when he doesn’t?
As for the Lions, he was injured. Did you not see that McGeechan did everything he could to keep his options open and openly came out as a fan and saying he hoped Gav would be fit? Shaun Edwards has called him the ultimate professional and he was another Lions coach.
He made 10 ospreys appearences this season due to injury. You want to can players for being injured for a season? Should the Ospreys go down the route of the Scarlets and cancel contracts of injured players? I would rather not – especially not one who is only 4 appearences behind Shane in the list of Osprey games, why don’t you say Shane is a waste of money – same amount of games virtually.
Comparing stats of players who played a whole season to one who played 10 games? Seems a tad one sided.
Henson has proved his talent, not just his potential, time and again. Injuries have held him back but every single time he gets a run of games he proves to us how good he is. The derision of him is unbelievable and based nothing at all to do with facts.
I couldn’t blame him if he did quit, the fact that everyone seems to have a negative opinion of him that seems to be based in very little fact would depress me too.
What amazes me most though is when I say things like this to friends and people on rugby boards etc and I’m considered ‘just another henson nut’. The facts speak for themselves and I am yet to see a valid argument for when he has played badly on anything approaching a consistant basis? When has he failed to play well on a consistant basis? When he has courted the press in recent years?
A few observations about the facts…
Firstly, the your interpretation of the ‘facts’ could be seen as pretty misleading. A list of accomplishments at international and regional level is all well and good, but undertake the same exercise for (say) John Hayes for the same time period (Grand Slam, Magners League, two Heineken Cups, twice a Lion ). Impressive, yes? Yet few would claim that Hayes is anything more than a decent pro. Accomplishments are testament to nothing more than a player being part of a successful team(s)!
With regards Henson’s record for the Ospreys, it’s certainly noteworthy. But Shane and Henson are the only two first choice backs who’ve been at the region since its inception (giving them a clear advantage in accumulating appearances and tries), and Henson’s been, at various junctures, a kicking option (thus assisting his collection of points). Undertake the same exercise for only the last three seasons, and a different picture would emerge. What am I getting at? Only that the ‘facts’ can be interpreted to support many differing opinions.
I’m afraid the issue of ‘potential’ is one that’s likely to haunt Henson throughout his career. I take your point entirely, by any normal standards he’s a very fine player. But being capped as a teenager and a former IRB young player of the year will mean that for many, a very fine player is not enough. I, like so many, had hoped he’d mature in a genuine world beater – a McCaw, Giteau or Carter. Sadly, and maybe because of injury, few would attempt to elevate Gavin to the level of those players. But equally, there’s a suspicion that given a run of fitness, he retains the ability to get to close. I only hope he’s fit long enough to prove it, but until then, whatever his achievements, the question of potential will remain.
Finally, his injuries. They’ve clearly been a major factor in hindering his career progress, but compared to (for example) Kevin Morgan, Mark Jones or Ian Evans, Henson’s injuries have been towards the lower end of the severity scale. They’ve not always required major operations (or operations of any scale) and have not stopped him from looking fit and healthy when on holiday (though I agree that being papped is hardly his own fault). But given that players such as Brian O’Driscoll play game after game when, but all accounts, he’s falling apart, it’s perhaps not surprising that a degree of Henson cynicism remains. It seems to be widely agreed that he doesn’t play unless 100% fit – remember the Six Nations and ‘Gavin’s mature enough to know whether he’s fit enough to play’? This is his right, but in light of what other players are prepared to endure for club and country, it can hardly surprise you that it wins Henson few fans?
Odd thing is, I’m largely in agreement about his merits – he’s a unique talent, and one who we cannot afford to overlook. But he’s not beyond reproach, and not yet invaluable for either club or country.
The point about facts being twisted is well made – but I was showing the facts from the other angle that frankly the media seem unwilling to do. My point (at the end of your excellent comment) is that whilst not above reproach the level of reproach he gets its far more excessive than that any other player gets.
Yes he has been one of the few with the Ospreys since their inception – but he has only played 4 games less than Shane and I still think that is an important point. The points thing is as a kicker of course but I dont mean that as a point in itself but as an answer to the ‘what has Henson ever done for the ospreys’ critics – the answer is an awful lot. And that was my main point with this post, to give an answer to a lot of the unbased criticsms.
Of course over the last few years Gavin Henson won’t have done as well, he’s had a nightmare with injuries. But wasn’t the injury he felt that was ‘not right’ the same one he ended up incurring about 5 or 6 games later for the Ospreys? Seems he may well have had a point.
He may not take the field when he feels he is not fully right, but look at th abuse he got when he did do it – when he replaced Stephen Jones at 10 against Ireland in 2006, had a ‘mare and was slated by anyone and everyone for playing when he wasn’t right. Seems to me Henson can’t win, damned if he does, damned if he doesn’t.
Look at the list of IRB youth player of the years since Henson won it in 2001. One exception aside (Luke McCalister in 2002) how well have these guys done? Henson is actually ahead of the curve. Only Jerome Kaino can be considered to be about as influential as Henson (and then I would doubt it).
Thats the problem often – ‘he looks healthy when on holiday’ feck me, theres an issue. I bet he would look healthy the day he comes off crutches or gets an arm out of plaster too. Of course the newspapers and mags use the ones where he looks good – Gavin Henson is a name and a pin up that sells mags/papers.
I’m not trying to say he’s a saint, he’s not. I am not trying to say he’s the best he could be – he isn’t, and I’m not trying to say he hasn’t got faults – he has. But in the main they are not all the huge and only slightly more than most players – but get magnified because its ‘Gavin Henson’.
I thought I might be pushing my luck citing the IRB younger player award – as you rightly point out, it’s not like every recipient has gone onto great things! And even Luke McAllister seems intent on going backwards. My aim was only to try and explain why Henson’s still beset by pundits intent on claiming his failure to reach his ‘potential’, despite being a fine player.
Fundamentally, I agree entirely that much of the nonsense in the press stems from the fact that he’s ‘Gavin Henson’. It’s a slightly specious comparison, but Rhys Williams or Gareth Delve don’t get anything like the same amount of abuse for being players of the same generation whose careers have been beset by injury, and who haven’t perhaps hit the heights that their performances at 19/20 suggested they were destined for. Perhaps they might if they sold a few more magazines? Or rather, any magazines!
As I said in my earlier post, I’m in total agreement about his merits – he’s a unique talent, and we’ve not the player base in Wales to be able to ignore someone of his abilities. Let’s hope he gets fit, gets some game time and plays to the level that he’s capable of.
Yup. It’s quite obvious what Henson brings to the Welsh team.. Without him, we are not half as good.
For anyone who doubts Henson’s talent watch Wales vs Ireland 2009 paying attention to him you’ll see he organized the defence, made the odd clean break and put players in space. At one point when he was at fullback well into the 2nd half he effortlessly flicked a pass to the other side of the pitch to stem a counter attack whereas any other fullback under that kind of pressure in their own 22 would have kicked for touch.
I support Ireland but there is no denying Gavin Henson is the most naturally gifted player alive but it is up to him to achieve his full potential. Warren Gatland, who gave O’Driscoll his big break against France in 2000, has an eye for talent and he is right about Henson.
Come home Gav….we’ll be waiting with open arms!
Old topic but…
The guy comes across as thinking he is bigger than Welsh rugby.
In the ScrumV interview he is largely talking about self accomplishments not how he wants to work hard and do things for the whole team. I get the feeling he just wants to be able to say he went to a world cup. Definitely did not come across as humble in the ScrumV interview which is what I think will need to happen for the welsh players to accept him within a team. The problem with Henson is regardless of talent, he is just as likely to mess up the morale of the Wales team. One to three games to get back in a 6 nations wales side… very humble and modest Mr. Henson!