Henson as good as Johnny Wilkinson

I understand Lyn Jones is 'standing by his man' but to compare the 2 men professionally is just darn stupid.

Application, dedication, humility, professionalism are just some of the qualities that mark Wilko out as a great sportsman. To compare the 2 is foolish in the extreme.

Quote,

There is chance in everything you do in life," said Jones, who coached Henson at Ospreys for five seasons from 2003. "My guess is that he will do well. He is a player who has not reached his potential to the full and he realises that. It is my job to give him the opportunity to express himself and trust is everything in the relationship between a coach and a player. Gavin has had a difficult 18 months and just needs to settle down. He is as good an outside-half as Jonny Wilkinson. I do not care what has happened with him in the past. He has the ability."

Just another coach defending his signing and his player. Nothing to report here.

Apart from the fact that both tackle hard and can kick the ball a long way, Wilkinson and Henson couldn't be more different, both in style or personality.

On another note, I actually think Henson should stick at 12 rather than 10. Always preferred him in the centre.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Just another coach defending his signing and his player. Nothing to report here.

Apart from the fact that both tackle hard and can kick the ball a long way, Wilkinson and Henson couldn't be more different, both in style or personality.

On another note, I actually think Henson should stick at 12 rather than 10. Always preferred him in the centre.

So so true, Likewise, I also always preferred Henson in the centre.

You've mis quoted there. If you look at Sky Sports, he was comparing them on defensive abilities.

To be fair in the article I read LJ was comparing their defensive qualities.

Well defensively they are similar. Both pack a brutal hit in the tackle. No denying that.

A little bit of free licence with that quoting there.

Henson was probably a lot better defender then Wilkinson as not only did he make plenty of solid tackles himself but he also led the Welsh defence from centre (I think in both '05 and '08 grandslams but may be wrong).

I am curious to see just how Cipriani, Haskall and Henson go this season. There should definitely be plenty for the press to talk about at least!!

Henson was probably a lot better defender then Wilkinson

Depends whether you mean in terms of bone crunching tackles or in organisation. Henson may have led the line but Johnny was one of the best when it came to orchestrating the players around him. They are about equal on the bone crunchers though you might argue Henson has the slight upper hand as he got injured less than Johnny.

I think Peel and Cipriani will prove to be an inspired half back combination at Sale, I back them to do well.

Haskell will continue to be solid and talk himself up.

I can't help but feel Henson will get injured again and sit out most of the season. I really hope I'm wrong.

Slow press day? Being fair Lyn Jones is IMO the only bloke to have ever got Henson to play anywhere near what people expect of him (well bar those who expect hm to be poop). I think Lyn knows how to mange him correctly, so fingers crossed, if Henson can remain injury free, we will see if he is as good as Wilko this season.

Henson was also very good at targetting the youngest players on the pitch for those tackles...

FES I hope you're right, I suppose as combinations go Peel could be the perfect foil for Cips, he'll give him a bit more guidance then a lot of the youngsters would. I wonder how Cipriani's game will go in the horrific conditions over winter though.

if Henson can remain injury free, we will see if he is as good as Wilko this season.

Wilko has started the season well kicking all of Toulon's points in their opening day win in the Top 14.

No surprise there Toulon=hugewasteoftalentandmoney

I predict Henson will be gone (leave LW) by the end of the season.

By end of August.

No surprise there Toulon=hugewasteoftalentandmoney

Not really, they got to two finals last season. They just have no plan B because their coach seems to have watched Sarries win the AP and gone "that's how you play rugby". If Giteau actually manned up and started calling the shots from 12 they could play some pretty impressive stuff with that backline but instead the pack, 9 and 10 are happy to play territory and the generate the penalties.

Fail thread. Read the actual quote next time.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

No surprise there Toulon=hugewasteoftalentandmoney

Not really, they got to two finals last season. They just have no plan B because their coach seems to have watched Sarries win the AP and gone "that's how you play rugby". If Giteau actually manned up and started calling the shots from 12 they could play some pretty impressive stuff with that backline but instead the pack, 9 and 10 are happy to play territory and the generate the penalties.

I believe Laporte sees his options at 10 as Wilkinson and Michalak, he considers Giteau as a 12.

It will be interesting to see how they play when Michalak is calling the shots.

gowales wrote:Fail thread. Read the actual quote next time.

It's quoted differently in different places! No surprises there but it wasn't meant as a WUM I apologise if I have chosen the 'misquote' but it was what I read.

I still think it is ridiculous to compare the 2 people defensively or in general.

One is to be admired for all the right things in sport the other is not.

Henson is very talented. I think its not beyond reason to suggest he had more natural talent than J Wilkinson but at the end of the day its what you do with that talent. There could be dozens of potential Dan Carters out there but they could be couch potatoes, not interested in rugby etc

Even last season watching Cardiff they were poor one night playing Munster away (I think) but Henson stood out. He has a bit of class that few players have.

BigTrevsbigmac wrote:

gowales wrote:Fail thread. Read the actual quote next time.

It's quoted differently in different places! No surprises there but it wasn't meant as a WUM I apologise if I have chosen the 'misquote' but it was what I read.

I still think it is ridiculous to compare the 2 people defensively or in general.

One is to be admired for all the right things in sport the other is not.

Fairy muff

Hen who?