Gavin Henson

merlynthewizard

What do you think of him

2040

he's gorgeous.

merlynthewizard

I was told a funny thing about him today...we all make fun of him but he has more grand slam medals then any Irish player ever!! I couldn't believe it when I was told but they say its true.

Please tell me I'm wrong..I have to be wrong.

2040

FridaysWell

Decent player. Ego, status etc., a bit too big

damnyanks

never lived up to the hype. Had a massive boot. Generally an annoying guy

merlynthewizard

damnyanks wrote: »

never lived up to the hype. Had a massive boot. Generally an annoying guy

But is it true about him having more GS medals? Someone so bad?

chupacabra

merlynthewizard wrote: »

But is it true about him having more GS medals? Someone so bad?

What? Henson is by no means a bad player, he is a prodigious talent, amazing boot, amazing step, good pace and some of the best defense ive seen from a back in recent times. He just has a big ego and a fake tan. And yes he does have more grand slam medals but thats meaningless to be honest.

Amazotheamazing

Feel sorry for the guy, he's had an awful run of injuries and it's shaken his confidence in his ability, imo. If he had ever managed to put together a full season or more back to back, he'd be one of the best in the world.

People might dislike him as a person but that makes people also dismiss his talent. Could have been a real great of the modern game.

anonymous_joe

chupacabra wrote: »

What? Henson is by no means a bad player, he is a prodigious talent, amazing boot, amazing step, good pace and some of the best defense ive seen from a back in recent times. He just has a big ego and a fake tan. And yes he does have more grand slam medals but thats meaningless to be honest.

Bingo.

Were it not for injuries, I'd be fairly certain he'd have started at 12 for the Lions tour. He's a very very good player, and if you feel threatened by his fake tan and pretty hair then that's your own problem.

It actually reminds me of some of the stick O'Driscoll used to get when he had the long blonde hair. What a guy looks like doesn't effect how he plays.

waraf

Did he not retire recently?

chupacabra

waraf wrote: »

Did he not retire recently?

That was a rumor apparently. Tho it was said he was going around telling people he was retiring. Anyway, after a chat with the Ospreys coach he wont be retiring.

anonymous_joe

Leave of absence apparently. Needs to find out what's wrong with some injury or somethin.

merlynthewizard

merlynthewizard wrote: »

But is it true about him having more GS medals? Someone so bad?

What?
If he could play for Ireland I would have him in a second,make space for him at scrumhalf or something lol.
Fantastic player when he isnt injured and actually bothers.

duckysauce

one of the laziest backline players i have every seen, never made a big effort , he comes across as a total to*l aswell, good luck to rugby league if he moves over

damnyanks

He bitched about team mates in the press. Numerous reports of a bad attitude. Skill alone doesnt cut it. Reading over the whole 'is all the talent coming from leinster thread' I was reminded of the various young players coming up over the last few years. They never turned pro because of a their attitude(Towards work or whatever)

When it comes down to it skill alone does not make the top players who they are. It's their attitude and dedication / profesionalism. Playing rugby is no different to other jobs. If you are a tool you get held back, miss promotions, bonsus etc.

anonymous_joe

duckysauce wrote: »

one of the laziest backline players i have every seen, never made a big effort , he comes across as a total to*l aswell, good luck to rugby league if he moves over

Ah I don't know that he's lazy on the pitch. Don't think I'd have any issues with his on-field performance.

Were he fully fit he could walk into almost any team in the world.

Sandwich

Look, one big kick, even if it is to beat England doesnt make you great.

Even allowing for the injuries, and the putting himself up there to be knocked with the preening and celeb thing, I still think he is of mediocre international standard.

Sandwich

Sandwich wrote: »

Look, one big kick, even if it is to beat England doesnt make you great.

Even allowing for the injuries, and the putting himself up there to be knocked with the preening and celeb thing, I still think he is of mediocre international standard.

You clearly dont watch much of him then..

wixfjord

Im glad most of the regular posters with a bit of rugby knowledge are agreeing that Henson could have been a very good player. Im of the opinion that he could have been one of the best centres in at least the NH were it not for injuries, but a lot of people get clouded by his off field persona. I personally love watching him play and hes a lovely style of gliding through tackles and across the ground. Hope he comes back to form.

chupacabra

Sandwich wrote: »

Look, one big kick, even if it is to beat England doesnt make you great.

Even allowing for the injuries, and the putting himself up there to be knocked with the preening and celeb thing, I still think he is of mediocre international standard.

One big kick? What about his outstanding performance in that game minus the kick? Nobody here referenced that kick once...

chupacabra

chupacabra wrote: »

One big kick? What about his outstanding performance in that game minus the kick? Nobody here referenced that kick once...

Yep,he got mom and absolutely dominated tait,a sublime performance by a centre.

Stev_o

Jairo Obedient Chipmunk wrote: »

Yep,he got mom and absolutely dominated tait,a sublime performance by a centre.

Who was 18 years old at the time.

Kristopherus

And then of course he spends a lot of time in Church:D:D:D

themont85

wixfjord wrote: »

Im glad most of the regular posters with a bit of rugby knowledge are agreeing that Henson could have been a very good player. Im of the opinion that he could have been one of the best centres in at least the NH were it not for injuries, but a lot of people get clouded by his off field persona. I personally love watching him play and hes a lovely style of gliding through tackles and across the ground. Hope he comes back to form.

Its not just the injuries, its the attitude and off the field stuff that has also held him. Beckham(not as big a talent at all in football but still a top player) has had issues with this over the years too and since Real dropped him in 2007 and ironically went to LA has improved in this regard and is better for it, Henson would want to improve his too. I look at Henson and say 'that's karma for you'.

Stev_o

Stev_o wrote: »

Who was 18 years old at the time.

Doesnt matter,they put him in and he dominated him.

you saw Darcy and Bod double team him in the last match of the 6 nations,he is a serious threat and a great player.

anonymous_joe

Gavin Henson has only ever lost one 6 Nations game he's started.

And I think most of us would agree he's come nowhere near to fulfilling his potential.

pisslips

Have to admit he's very good, and physically, I don't think many centres could compare, he's huge, in fact, I don't think he could fit more muscle on his frame, he's also very fast and powerful.

Problem is he's a pretty selfish player, he definitely wastes oppertunities for all the ones he creates/finishes.

Funny how someone mentioned David Beckam, who is comparible. Beckam's crossing and set-piece was the best in the world and he might get an average of an assist or a goal per match in a good season but that hides the fact that he gives away the ball about 33% of the time. There's no honestly in it, it's glory hunting and overall it might do a team more harm than good..

pisslips

pisslips wrote: »

Have to admit he's very good, and physically, I don't think many centres could compare, he's huge, in fact, I don't think he could fit more muscle on his frame, he's also very fast and powerful.

Problem is he's a pretty selfish player, he definitely wastes oppertunities for all the ones he creates/finishes.

Funny how someone mentioned David Beckam, who is comparible. Beckam's crossing and set-piece was the best in the world and he might get an average of an assist or a goal per match in a good season but that hides the fact that he gives away the ball about 33% of the time. There's no honestly in it, it's glory hunting and overall it might do a team more harm than good..

He is a freak alright

anonymous_joe

Compare that to the picture of BOD beside Umaga.

chupacabra

Jairo Obedient Chipmunk wrote: »

He is a freak alright

that from your personal collection goose? :pac:

FridaysWell

Look people, Rob Kearney. Period.

chupacabra

FridaysWell wrote: »

Look people, Rob Kearney. Period.

Different positions but similar types of player, Henson was better on this day tho. Kearneys defense is suspect at times and he doesent hit the line with the speed that Henson would.

FridaysWell

chupacabra wrote: »

Different positions but similar types of player, Henson was better on this day tho. Kearneys defense is suspect at times and he doesent hit the line with the speed that Henson would.

True.

Kearney and Steyn almost had a fight in SA but they stopped cuz they knew the fight would destroy the stadium.

I don't know if you know this but Kearney used to train by wrestling Deer in the mountains when he went hunting with his Dad.

Period. :P

P.S what you said is true

stephen_n

Seems strange that people can question Henson's ability as a player, he may never fulfill his potential due to attitude and injuries but he is still one of the outstanding players of a generation in his position and if you could have combined BOD's work ethic with Hensons raw talent you probably would have ended up with the greatest player to ever play the game, great pity we have only ever seen it in isolated games!

danthefan

I don't think attitude issues affected his game at all? Are people suggesting he was uncommitted? Evidence for this? It's not his fault if photographers followed him around everywhere.

stephen_n

danthefan wrote: »

I don't think attitude issues affected his game at all? Are people suggesting he was uncommitted? Evidence for this? It's not his fault if photographers followed him around everywhere.

Attitude affects how you condition yourself and avoid injuries and being a media star who goes to gala openings with your celebrity girlfriend would certainly affect your game, note BOD's resurgence as a player over the last two seasons since he has been more focused on rugby than during his time with Glenda! I don't think anyone is suggesting he lacked commitment on the pitch or at least I certainly wasn't!

justsomebloke

My problem with him is that he let his ego effect the player he could and should have been. Is he good, yes but he believed his own hype and that robbed the game of a true great and instead gave us the glory hunting david beckham of the rugby world wannabe that he is who seems to be driven by fame rather then greatness

Sandwich

Jairo Obedient Chipmunk wrote: »

Pffffwwwaaaaaaarrr !!!!!!!!!!!:eek:

I stand corrected. What a player.

Actually just thinking about it,I would bet most of his injuries are from him overdoing the weights,esp when he was younger,because he is an absolute croc at a young age.

Sangre

Jairo Obedient Chipmunk wrote: »

Actually just thinking about it,I would bet most of his injuries are from him overdoing the weights,esp when he was younger,because he is an absolute croc at a young age.

I bet you they are not. Resistance training will help you avoid injury as it strengths joints.

stephen_n wrote:

if you could have combined BOD's work ethic with Hensons raw talent you probably would have ended up with the greatest player to ever play the game, great pity we have only ever seen it in isolated games!

watch your mouth!

selfish glory hunter!!
Also, WAAAAAAYYYY too in love with himself!!

anonymous_joe

Some people are just prone to injury. It's bad luck really.

lobber

Henson had the skills and physicality to be a great player but his attitude is all over the place. And it's not that he doesn't want to perform well and be a great player and it is not being lazy. It boils down to confidence.

We all see how into himself he is, but we all know someone like him and deep down know that they put on this outward show to hide their insecurities. When things don't go well for him in a game he goes back into his shell and closes up shop! I remember seeing him play in dublin once and he nearly came off the pitch crying (albeit i don't thinnk he was fully fit to begin with). His confidence issue could be a symptom of all the media hype around him or justhigh personal standards he sets himself.

However I do take exception to all the noise being made about his long string of injuries and the whole 'he's retiring / he's not retiring' waffle. Look at Wilkinson, probably the highest paid player per game over the past few seasons since he only ever seemed to get through a few games before another injury! He has been constantly injured since 'that' dropgoal (reckon he sold his soul for it and injurioes are payback;)) and yet portrays a hunger to keep coming back again and again.

Henson - great player - wrong mentality

justsomebloke

pisslips wrote: »

I don't think many centres could compare, he's huge, in fact, I don't think he could fit more muscle on his frame, he's also very fast and powerful.

sorry forgot to answer this yesterday. Yes he could easily fit more muscle on that frame if he wanted to. For a lot of people he would look quite muscular however this is only down to his low BF%

need assistance

Very talented rugby player, had or has all the skills. Very unlucky with injuries. Dubious attitude off the pitch,criticizing team mates etc. but we don't have to cross the Irish Sea to find that.

Perhaps a prolonged period of rest will allow him to sort out the niggling injuries, he is still young enough to have a future in the game.

tommy57

he was a great player he ruined himself on the 2005 lions tour and then followed his "book". though saying that when he was on form he was great to look at. think he,s finished now though. also celeb girlfrends d,ont help your rugby .

anonymous_joe

lobber wrote: »

Henson had the skills and physicality to be a great player but his attitude is all over the place. And it's not that he doesn't want to perform well and be a great player and it is not being lazy. It boils down to confidence.

We all see how into himself he is, but we all know someone like him and deep down know that they put on this outward show to hide their insecurities. When things don't go well for him in a game he goes back into his shell and closes up shop! I remember seeing him play in dublin once and he nearly came off the pitch crying (albeit i don't thinnk he was fully fit to begin with). His confidence issue could be a symptom of all the media hype around him or justhigh personal standards he sets himself.

However I do take exception to all the noise being made about his long string of injuries and the whole 'he's retiring / he's not retiring' waffle. Look at Wilkinson, probably the highest paid player per game over the past few seasons since he only ever seemed to get through a few games before another injury! He has been constantly injured since 'that' dropgoal (reckon he sold his soul for it and injurioes are payback;)) and yet portrays a hunger to keep coming back again and again.

Henson - great player - wrong mentality

Is this about his hair?

Because other than the odd bítching about team-mates, what is so wrong about his attitude?

Hippo

Over-rated, rarely produced the goods.

anonymous_joe

Hippo wrote: »

Over-rated, rarely produced the goods.

Only ever lost one 6 Nations game he started?

He may well be overrated, but he was bloody effective.

emergingstar

overrated dont think he was a good player at all