Gavin Henson - No sympathy

For the 2nd time he has been left out of the Wales and Blues 22. I don't think he deserved a recall last summer against the barbarians. Wales now has committed, professional, better, faster, bigger and more talented young players than ever before. He made his bed he should lie in it.

He decided z lister TV shows were more important than a promising rugby career.

He threatened the Ospreys with legal action because he fell out with his team mates and wanted to do a runner. They stuck with him through thick and thin and Cuddy said publicly many times how he wanted Henson playing again.

Saracens gave him a golden opportunity and he stuck 2 fingers up to them.

Toulon gave him an even more lucrative opportunity and he did everything he could to destroy that.

Numerous off field incidents.

A book he endorsed with the help of Graham Thomas slating all his mates.

The guy is a joke Wales are doing great without him.

Well said. What a waste a god-given talent, time, and money.

If only Mike Tindall had done that in 2004

I wouldn't object to him coming back into the Wales set-up, but he should have to genuinely earn his place. I hate the way he's given preferential treatment because of some good performances in the increasingly distant past.

Geez, can you let this guy go please. allow the man to dance off into the sunset with his new hairstyle, fancy clothes.....

bluestonevedder wrote:Well said. What a waste a god-given talent, time, and money.

Still really unconvinved that he had that much talent - a few good games - world class player does not make -

He needed to back that form up for several years

Riskysports wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:Well said. What a waste a god-given talent, time, and money.

Still really unconvinved that he had that much talent - a few good games - world class player does not make -

He needed to back that form up for several years

I was unconvinced at first too, but then I saw him play for Ospreys against Worcester in 2008. The man did have serious talent, but it just wasn't really refined. He had time on his side to ameliorate his skills, but sadly he p1ssed all his chances away.

Talent is pointless without the attitude to go with it though. I've always thought he comes across as a well-meaning enough guy, so don't want to slate him personally, but he's made a complete hash of the last 3 years.

The bloke is an arse.

Goodness knows I'm no apologist for Henson but is it possible he has not been named by Cardiff as he is still required by the national side in case of a last minute injury?

Or is logic not what you're looking for?

I'd say he did have talent at his disposal, denying so would be rather untruthful when you've seen the space he could create, effectively the opportunities he set up and of course some of the kicks he's knocked over. Credit where it's due, he did play a considerable part in both Grand Slams.

I feel sympathy for him so far as he's had some terrible luck with injuries but no further. I'm delighted to see Gatland has (for now) stopped giving him what he hasn't earned.

Riskysports wrote:

bluestonevedder wrote:Well said. What a waste a god-given talent, time, and money.

Still really unconvinved that he had that much talent - a few good games - world class player does not make -

He needed to back that form up for several years

I've never seen him do anything. Seemed to be famous for one average kick and the hysteria abounding seemed to be because Wales had just beaten England for the first time in an age and the Wales followers were looking for some kind of folk hero to ascribe it to. A poor mans fabricated faux rival to England's legendary Jonny Wikinson, I'm afraid. It was always a bit embarassing and parochial. Thank goodness Wales have moved on now.

Some people will argue Roberts isn't as "talented" as Henson, but he is a model professional who was Lions man of the series so in my opinion Roberts is better.

If you are talking about a long range kicker we now have Halfpenny and we have the likes of Hook and Beck at 12 if you want something different from Roberts.

Priestland seems far more effective at "making space" for Jon Davies and Priestland is a 10!

Talking about JD2 his try count is getting better and better. I would say he has eclipsed Shanklin already.

I agree gnoll beast. Wales doesn't need Henson.

Did Wales need Henson in the recent world cup? Of course not.

Cardiff must not think much of Henson to not pick him in their 22.

beshocked wrote:I agree gnoll beast. Wales doesn't need Henson.

Did Wales need Henson in the recent world cup? Of course not.

Cardiff must not think much of Henson to not pick him in their 22.

yeah its not like they needed someone to land those tricky penalties is it ....

Some people will argue Roberts isn't as "talented" as Henson, but he is a model professional who was Lions man of the series so in my opinion Roberts is better.

More talented has never necessarily meant better. Agreed that Roberts has so far displayed more professionalism in his little finger than Henson has in his career.

However I think there's more to it than that. Roberts' function is far simpler than Henson's, simply run at defenders, keep running if you manage to knock them aside and pass/offload/recycle well enough if you suck them in instead. You'd hardly expect him to run the angles Henson does or kick as well, a function which is in fact easier to fail at.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

beshocked wrote:I agree gnoll beast. Wales doesn't need Henson.

Did Wales need Henson in the recent world cup? Of course not.

Cardiff must not think much of Henson to not pick him in their 22.

yeah its not like they needed someone to land those tricky penalties is it ....

You think Henson would be the man for the job?

I played school and club rugby with gav. There was no doubt that he had talent, but he was lazy and wasn't the best in team.

He's always been a dicke, no one tht plyed rugby in the early days likes him, or wants anything to do with him, he had a couple of good performances and he believed his own hype. Wasted talent

I would rather pick a man like Roberts over Henson any day.

I prefer his attitude over henson's deemed star quality.

I feel for Gav.

He needs someone to put their arm around him and get him back to his best, everyone envolved have let this very talented player down including the WRU, Ospreys, Welsh media and the biggest one of all the Welsh fans/public.

They all played their part in creating the Monster, that is Henson.

BATH_BTGOG wrote:I feel for Gav.

He needs someone to put their arm around him and get him back to his best, everyone envolved have let this very talented player down including the WRU, Ospreys, Welsh media and the biggest one of all the Welsh fans/public.

They all played their part in creating the Monster, that is Henson.

Someone just confirmed Henson to genuinely be an arrogant, up himself type in general, that's not anybody's fault but his. I'm not saying that person's definitely telling the truth but the fact is that few reports from people who have associated with Henson personally have been good.

Can't defend the press, not that I'd want to but perhaps you'd care to explain exactly how the Ospreys, WRU and us fans have let him down?

BATH_BTGOG wrote:I feel for Gav.

He needs someone to put their arm around him and get him back to his best, everyone envolved have let this very talented player down including the WRU, Ospreys, Welsh media and the biggest one of all the Welsh fans/public.

They all played their part in creating the Monster, that is Henson.

Tough love mate, that is required. Leave the mushy stuff for poor Dan Parks.

Gavin is a wasted talent that is true, but to blame the Welsh public and the WRU!

Thats low.

Should have stayed with the Scarlets see!

I just feel sorry for Charlotte Church in all of this. She still can´t get that fake tan out of her sheets and so has to be reminded of her ill-advised relationship with him. At least the Welsh shirts don´t have the same colour as Holland, otherwise the current Welsh players would be reminded of him too.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:I just feel sorry for Charlotte Church in all of this. She still can´t get that fake tan out of her sheets and so has to be reminded of her ill-advised relationship with him. At least the Welsh shirts don´t have the same colour as Holland, otherwise the current Welsh players would be reminded of him too.

That wasnt fake tan

The Fanta Menace left a phantom menace.

I read someone once saying he was rugby's answer to George Best. I strongly disagree, he had some serious potential and had a couple of decent seasons but that was all - George Best achieved plenty and was still one of the most skillful players ever to play his sport, even with his personal demons. Henson is potential who achieved some success, nothing more.

When Henson was at the top of his game I thought he could go on to be a really top 12. He had decent distribution and kicking ability like a good play-making IC but also could bosh up the middle and recycle quick ball like a top crash ball merchant. It's rare that you find a 12 who can do both aspects to a high standard and his defense was good too. But he never got anywhere near as good as he thought he was and in the end he will rightly be remembered as a wasted talent, nothing more. There are also plenty of instances that prove that he is a grade A idiot who has received many more chances than he deserved.

Gav Henson, James Hook, Matthew Morgan............

You Welsh have got a thing about
"Naturally talented"

What exactly do you think that means?......... naturally talented at
* kicking
* running with or off the ball
* scoring or creating genuine try scoring opportunities

or maybe naturally talented at been
* aware of the gameplan
* aware of the opposition plan
* ability to change the gameplan .... if req'd
* you don't have to be taught how to tackle properly
* you can actually score tries / create tries
* you create risk but in a structured way
* you instill confidence in your team mates that you will create space for them, or cover their position when they attack the offensive line
* you do this all consistently NOT every other game, or for 20 mins in a match

The centre Wales should have been raving about during Hensons short OTT reign was SHANKLIN a ........... naturally talented centre, who everyone outside the Principality knew was the better centre , and he proved it for a long period of time for the Blues, Wales, Baa Baas, Lions

........and more importantly provided space and covered Hensons derriere during the demi-gods reign

When someone says Gav only had one moment, what they mean is that they only noticed/remember that. He played a lot of good games for Wales and Ospreys. Just by way of example, I remember twice he made Quins look silly at the Stoop in the Heineken (once against Will Greenwood). He was IRB Young Player of the Year. He did disappoint on the Lions tour though.

It's just a shame he lost the plot. He had an unusual broad set of skills, and could have contributed a lot more to Wales.

I agree about Shanklin, terrific player.

Chunky Norwich wrote:The bloke is an arse.

Shanklin never playerd for the lions.

Griff wrote:Shanklin never playerd for the lions.

Yes he did.

Henson was a very good player in his prime. What he has done and what has happened to him in the last few years should not have any baring on just how good a player he once was.

There is no way he will be selected for Wales now (unless they lose so many first and second choice backs) as there are now so many players that are better than him.

When?

Griff wrote:Shanklin never playerd for the lions.

You sure about that? I could have sworn he did.

Ahh, 2005 he was selected but ruled out due to injury....

BlueNote wrote:He did disappoint on the Lions tour though.

What with Henson's attitude and Woodward's ego he was doomed to under perform on that tour before he even left the UK.

hes a silly boy.

maybe unlucky in a way to be sought after by the media- most rugby players look like beasts ,henson could have been looked at by the media as the welsh rugby playing beckham type dude, maybe it was hard to resist the extra cash for the odd apperanace ,advert etc, whereas must rugby palyers would never have the opportuinity

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:I just feel sorry for Charlotte Church in all of this. She still can´t get that fake tan out of her sheets and so has to be reminded of her ill-advised relationship with him. At least the Welsh shirts don´t have the same colour as Holland, otherwise the current Welsh players would be reminded of him too.

Churchy can find solace with me if she likes....<missinghumpsmiley>

Sorry, he did go to NZ in 2005 but went home early. Missed the next one though injury too. My bad!

No he didn't he got injured I remember. He was named but had a knee injury.

Yeah Griff, i was certain that he was on a tour
Shanklin did have some bad luck through his career

miteyironpaw wrote:

I've never seen him do anything. Seemed to be famous for one average kick and the hysteria abounding seemed to be because Wales had just beaten England for the first time in an age and the Wales followers were looking for some kind of folk hero to ascribe it to. A poor mans fabricated faux rival to England's legendary Jonny Wikinson, I'm afraid. It was always a bit embarassing and parochial. Thank goodness Wales have moved on now.

Hold the front page. Miteyironpaw has something negative to say about a Welsh player.

If he has earned a place in the team he will get one, but Wales have depth in most backline positions now so we are not at the point where we NEED him in the squad.

If he wants to make himself available and can still play well at this level then the best of luck to him.

good shout- if your good enough - your good enough.

Gavin Henson - No sympathy

Realy, If that is the case then why talk about him?

I personaly do not understand why Gatland has gave him Sooooooooooo Many chances, and he as not repaid him with anything at all. Yes he did have a hand in the 2 Grand Slams that Wales in 2005-2008. But is that realy a good enough reason to keep faith with him.?

He has been out of the game for almost 2 years, and as not played a great deal since he came back from injury.

If, If he regains his match fitness, and his skills that he used to have, then he may well be worth looking at.
If not, then so be it., let him fade in to the darkness to enjoy what he wants to make of the rest of his life.

Griff wrote:Shanklin never playerd for the lions.

Perdantic Bu@@er

He was selected for the 2005 & 2009 Lions tours ............. and from both coaching teams comments would have been the 1st choice centre along BOD in 05, and close to partnering BOD in 09 but for knee then shoulder injuries

flyhalffactory wrote:Gav Henson, James Hook, Matthew Morgan............

You Welsh have got a thing about
"Naturally talented"

What exactly do you think that means?......... naturally talented at
* kicking
* running with or off the ball
* scoring or creating genuine try scoring opportunities

or maybe naturally talented at been
* aware of the gameplan
* aware of the opposition plan
* ability to change the gameplan .... if req'd
* you don't have to be taught how to tackle properly
* you can actually score tries / create tries
* you create risk but in a structured way
* you instill confidence in your team mates that you will create space for them, or cover their position when they attack the offensive line
* you do this all consistently NOT every other game, or for 20 mins in a match

The centre Wales should have been raving about during Hensons short OTT reign was SHANKLIN a ........... naturally talented centre, who everyone outside the Principality knew was the better centre , and he proved it for a long period of time for the Blues, Wales, Baa Baas, Lions

........and more importantly provided space and covered Hensons derriere during the demi-gods reign

We were!

Taffineastbourne wrote:

flyhalffactory wrote:Gav Henson, James Hook, Matthew Morgan............

You Welsh have got a thing about
"Naturally talented"

What exactly do you think that means?......... naturally talented at
* kicking
* running with or off the ball
* scoring or creating genuine try scoring opportunities

or maybe naturally talented at been
* aware of the gameplan
* aware of the opposition plan
* ability to change the gameplan .... if req'd
* you don't have to be taught how to tackle properly
* you can actually score tries / create tries
* you create risk but in a structured way
* you instill confidence in your team mates that you will create space for them, or cover their position when they attack the offensive line
* you do this all consistently NOT every other game, or for 20 mins in a match

The centre Wales should have been raving about during Hensons short OTT reign was SHANKLIN a ........... naturally talented centre, who everyone outside the Principality knew was the better centre , and he proved it for a long period of time for the Blues, Wales, Baa Baas, Lions

........and more importantly provided space and covered Hensons derriere during the demi-gods reign

We were!

He was very average for Sarries though.....