Thursday, February 03, 2011
Llanelli vs Swansea 2002 - Gavin Henson white hair, red card
Gavin Henson has hit the headlines again as he's walked out on Saracens, heading to Toulon. It seems like an opportune time to post this amusing clip from 2002, and the highly charged Welsh derby when Henson was shown a straight red card.
Stradey Park had many a fierce encounter in its day, but the 2002 derby between Llanelli and Swansea had a little something extra in it. Despite the scoreline ending in an emphatic 62-6 win for Llanelli, the tempers were running high all night.
Swansea ended up having two players sent off, playing over half the match with just 13, as Gavin Henson was shown a straight red card for tossing Garan Evans into the advertising hoardings. Dean Thomas was then shown a second yellow for a high tackle.
It was a humiliation for Swansea, and of course for Henson, who came out with a bit of a white-blue hairstyle that could only be upstaged by an act of, lets say youthful exuberance. The scenes that followed could have been far uglier, but his nimble footwork helped him out of that one pretty quickly.
Between the hair and the incident, it was a night Henson will have done well to forget.
Hes now hitting the papers again though as his surprise move from London to France means that hes actually further away from his kids, which was one of his original motivations to move to Saracens.
Hes only played four times for the club, hardly setting the world alight and has yet to show the kind of form that would warrant Wales selection.
Hes a talented player so perhaps the move to Toulon will do him good, and hell manage to force his way back into contention with Warren Gatlands national side before the Rugby World Cup later this year. Lets hope he leaves the peroxide at home though.
Time: 02:06
Note: Thanks to ScrumV
Posted at 7:37 am | 53 comments
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Viewing 53 comments
Colombes February 03, 2011 9:27 am
i have never been a big fan of Henson and it won't change afer this video.
Finally, i see that that the "hairspray" nickname is a tradition.
Just hope for him that he will regain some rugby. Boudjellal certainly picked him for marketing reasons but st-andre can maybe remotivate him as he did it with wilkinson and chabal (with Sale)
Finally, i see that that the "hairspray" nickname is a tradition.
Just hope for him that he will regain some rugby. Boudjellal certainly picked him for marketing reasons but st-andre can maybe remotivate him as he did it with wilkinson and chabal (with Sale)
Anonymous February 03, 2011 9:28 am
"He was running down the touchline like bambi"
brilliant
brilliant
Von February 03, 2011 9:56 am
Unbelievable. Can't get a game at fly-half at Saracens because they've already got decent players in that position, so he goes to Toulon to see if he can displace Messrs Wilkinson & Contepomi.
Will Greenwood claims Toulon "saved Jonny Wilkinson's career" - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/8274409/Will-Greenwood-Toulon-have-secured-success-by-recruiting-big-name-players-with-small-egos.html - as the link would suggest though, all these "galacticos" of rugby who've turned up at big-spending Toulon so far have one major thing in common - small ego.
If Henson can demonstrate a bit of humility and patience, maybe as Colombes says St Andre can work his magic again...
Will Greenwood claims Toulon "saved Jonny Wilkinson's career" - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/8274409/Will-Greenwood-Toulon-have-secured-success-by-recruiting-big-name-players-with-small-egos.html - as the link would suggest though, all these "galacticos" of rugby who've turned up at big-spending Toulon so far have one major thing in common - small ego.
If Henson can demonstrate a bit of humility and patience, maybe as Colombes says St Andre can work his magic again...
Anonymous February 03, 2011 9:56 am
People like this give rugby a profile, you can love to hate him but at the end of the day he puts our sport in the headlines, ask non-rugby lovers who Charlie Hodgson is.
Anonymous February 03, 2011 10:06 am
^^ I don't give a fuck if rugby is not as popular as football or whatever, I really really don't want Gavin Henson to represent rugby players as a whole for the medias or non-rugby lovers!! This guy is an embarassment for rugby, God i'm fuckin gutted he comes to Toulon... I'll never support that fagg.
Anonymous February 03, 2011 10:22 am
Got to love the irony, a French rugby fan (the home of those naked rugby player calendars) calling another player a "fagg".
no rain in spain February 03, 2011 10:26 am
Yeah, you know, because Toulon needs more overseas players.
Nick February 03, 2011 10:27 am
Von, what's even better is that he can't get a game at fly half with a team whose first choice is injured for the rest of the season and the second choice is 18 and only started playing top flight rugby 4 months ago.
Toulon must have money to burn....
Toulon must have money to burn....
Anonymous February 03, 2011 10:28 am
^^ this calendar is designed for girls you moron, only faggs like you think that it's a fagg thing. I guess you're a welsh, i'm sorry if i hurted you by calling your rugby icon a fagg but that's what he is.
no rain in spain February 03, 2011 10:30 am
The frustrating thing about Henson is that he is a good rugby player, no matter how much a douche he is...
Anonymous February 03, 2011 10:53 am
France, where naked rugby players rest their dicks on each others legs for calendars and then don pink jerseys for playtime. I don't think they're in a position to call anyone a "fagg".
Anonymous February 03, 2011 10:54 am
Frenchie > I think you'll find most Welsh rugby fans dislike Henson more than you, particulary Ospreys supporters. Even current Welsh players have spoken out against him (Jamie Roberts for one).
Anonymous February 03, 2011 11:09 am
I don't think he is aiming to play 10 at Toulon. He definitely wants to play 12 as that is his position with Wales and Barritt was never going to make way for Henson. I think the fact that he can also play 10 makes him attractive for clubs that are short of 10s. Whatever people say, the truth is that when he plays for Wales they win and he holds the record the the least tries conceded in a 6 nations (2).
He does do 'faggy' things but when you see some of the hits he puts in at centre and the way he delivers under pressure he does not lack resprect from me.
HUGHT
He does do 'faggy' things but when you see some of the hits he puts in at centre and the way he delivers under pressure he does not lack resprect from me.
HUGHT
Anonymous February 03, 2011 11:15 am
If I was a pro I'd be exactly like him, two fingers upto everyone and believing in my ability. Life is boring if everyone is the same, and to the French guy calling him a 'fagg', don't all French men kiss each other on the face just to say hello? Not to mention your army surrenders at every given possibility.
Von February 03, 2011 11:49 am
HUGHT said...
I don't think he is aiming to play 10 at Toulon. He definitely wants to play 12 as that is his position with Wales and Barritt was never going to make way for Henson. I think the fact that he can also play 10 makes him attractive for clubs that are short of 10s.
10 or 12, Toulon have an embarrassment of riches. Wilkinson and Contepomi seem to switch between the two positions at will. Then they've got Kefu, Lovobolavu, Messina...
I don't think he is aiming to play 10 at Toulon. He definitely wants to play 12 as that is his position with Wales and Barritt was never going to make way for Henson. I think the fact that he can also play 10 makes him attractive for clubs that are short of 10s.
10 or 12, Toulon have an embarrassment of riches. Wilkinson and Contepomi seem to switch between the two positions at will. Then they've got Kefu, Lovobolavu, Messina...
mat February 03, 2011 11:52 am
henson is an awesome player at his best, unfortunately injuries and spats have got in the way of his game. hopefully he can reach his potential now.
he gets lots of criticism for his off-the-pitch life.
only thing is because of his high profile he sometimes seems to be singled out by referees.
as for this incident, players get tackled off the pitch like this all the time, the boards shouldn't be so close, was fairly tame compared to all the fists and elbows flying!
he gets lots of criticism for his off-the-pitch life.
only thing is because of his high profile he sometimes seems to be singled out by referees.
as for this incident, players get tackled off the pitch like this all the time, the boards shouldn't be so close, was fairly tame compared to all the fists and elbows flying!
Von February 03, 2011 11:53 am
Can I please suggest that the anonymous posters making silly homophobic and xenophobic comments might like to consider posting in a different forum.
Anonymous February 03, 2011 11:55 am
@no rain in spain said...
I would disagree slightly and say he WAS a good rugby player. No proof (yet) that he still is. Lot's of proof that he is a tool though
I would disagree slightly and say he WAS a good rugby player. No proof (yet) that he still is. Lot's of proof that he is a tool though
Anonymous February 03, 2011 2:09 pm
"If I was a pro I'd be exactly like him, two fingers upto everyone and believing in my ability. Life is boring if everyone is the same, and to the French guy calling him a 'fagg', don't all French men kiss each other on the face just to say hello? Not to mention your army surrenders at every given possibility."
French guys sometimes kiss each other on the face to say hello(family or friends), yes, like in every latin or mediterranean country. In Russia they even kiss each other on the mouth. Would you call all these countries "fagg"?
And if you know an army who never ever surrendered, i'd like to know which one! And by the way, french army is nowadays one of the most powerful and efficient in the world. You're just a troll.
French guys sometimes kiss each other on the face to say hello(family or friends), yes, like in every latin or mediterranean country. In Russia they even kiss each other on the mouth. Would you call all these countries "fagg"?
And if you know an army who never ever surrendered, i'd like to know which one! And by the way, french army is nowadays one of the most powerful and efficient in the world. You're just a troll.
(u-p)rick February 03, 2011 2:44 pm
Personally I don't believe Gavin actually is in all this for the love of the game. Take 99% of international or well known players and generally they enjoy the limelight and I suppose the sponsorship money but that helps them on the side... Their main enjoyment is the game... To me it doesnt look like Gavin enjoys the game, rather he sees it as his chance to become a 'celebrity.'
However I could be wrong and he could be dying to enjoy the game at flyhalf...but I doubt it...
However I could be wrong and he could be dying to enjoy the game at flyhalf...but I doubt it...
U.Kdude February 03, 2011 2:47 pm
"French guys sometimes kiss each other on the face to say hello(family or friends), yes, like in every latin or mediterranean country. In Russia they even kiss each other on the mouth. Would you call all these countries "fagg"? "
Yes.... Definately
Yes.... Definately
(u-p)rick February 03, 2011 2:53 pm
I should add though, it's a shame Henson isn't more....focussed maybe? Because he has played some great rugby and has the ability... This was quite embarrassing though, throwing someone into the boards then running away.... One of those 'yes I had long hair when I was a teenager sort of moments' when your gf finds a 15 year old photo of you.... Bet Henson never wanted this to be shown again...
Colombes February 03, 2011 2:54 pm
i could make a 1km comment about how stupid are our anonymous trolls who love to use the word "faggot!"
but i wonder they won't be brave enough to repeat it, in front of gareth thomas :)
but i wonder they won't be brave enough to repeat it, in front of gareth thomas :)
Anonymous February 03, 2011 3:00 pm
"French guys sometimes kiss each other on the face to say hello(family or friends), yes, like in every latin or mediterranean country. In Russia they even kiss each other on the mouth. Would you call all these countries "fagg"? "
Yes.... Definately
@U.Kdude
ok so you're definately racist, which is not very surprising cause you're a brit.
Yes.... Definately
@U.Kdude
ok so you're definately racist, which is not very surprising cause you're a brit.
Anonymous February 03, 2011 4:19 pm
Henson is a grade A cock. in his own words, i thought he wanted to move to saracens so he could be closer to his children?
anyone who uses their children as an excuse to get out of a mess they got themselves in is a totally cunt. fuckin knob
anyone who uses their children as an excuse to get out of a mess they got themselves in is a totally cunt. fuckin knob
Anonymous February 03, 2011 4:29 pm
The fact is he fucking loves himself. He got so caught up in his own ego that he turned his back on his trade, what got him to where he was in the first place. He could have been great, but he blew it. Gatland would be mad to invite him back into the Wales camp.
As for signing with Toulon, it's a very bad move for them also. They are now a club that employ mercenaries. I didn't really mind up until now, as players such as Hayman, Smith, Van Nierkirk, Wilkenson, Contepomi, Kefu, Saki, Wolf....shit that a lot of fucking mercenaries actually, and I'm only touching on them. But Henson is definitely the cherry on the cake. The big gay cherry. "Oh I'm signing for Saracens because I want to be close to my kids:. What a load of bollox.
As for signing with Toulon, it's a very bad move for them also. They are now a club that employ mercenaries. I didn't really mind up until now, as players such as Hayman, Smith, Van Nierkirk, Wilkenson, Contepomi, Kefu, Saki, Wolf....shit that a lot of fucking mercenaries actually, and I'm only touching on them. But Henson is definitely the cherry on the cake. The big gay cherry. "Oh I'm signing for Saracens because I want to be close to my kids:. What a load of bollox.
Steve Munford February 03, 2011 4:35 pm
He seems to eb able to get in the papers for very reason going, except of course for the one that should matter, actually playing rugby. Until he does something of note on the pitch, we should just stop talking about him.
Dutchrugbyplayer February 03, 2011 4:40 pm
Well, I don't think he will reach the level of rugby he once played. Actually I think it is nearly impossible, especially if you're not 100% dedicated (which I don't think he is).
Rugby is one of the toughest sports in the world and a two year break in which he did not play any rugby at all, will not have done him any good.
Is there anyone on this forum who can name a player that made a really succesfull comeback after such a long absence? Just interested.
Rugby is one of the toughest sports in the world and a two year break in which he did not play any rugby at all, will not have done him any good.
Is there anyone on this forum who can name a player that made a really succesfull comeback after such a long absence? Just interested.
Von February 03, 2011 5:17 pm
Well, Jonny Wilkinson has had a few long spells out through injury and each time he seems to have come back stronger - in this last incarnation he seems to be playing some of his best rugby ever, in my opinion.
I'll be interested to see how Matt Stevens bounces back from his absence from the game. I reckon he'll do very well indeed.
In both these cases, their behaviour was markedly different to Henson's. Wilko got his head down, worked on ways to improve his mindset, discovered Buddhism, read a lot and worked hard on his convalescence. Stevens took his punishment with great dignity, kept fit and channelled his energy and aggression through martial arts, opened a coffee shop, kept himself busy and healthily distracted.
What they both did was they kept their mouths shut unless they were asked for an opinion, didn't court superficial publicity and they showed respect for their employers, colleagues / ex-colleagues and the fans.
Henson has done the polar opposite on all counts.
I'll be interested to see how Matt Stevens bounces back from his absence from the game. I reckon he'll do very well indeed.
In both these cases, their behaviour was markedly different to Henson's. Wilko got his head down, worked on ways to improve his mindset, discovered Buddhism, read a lot and worked hard on his convalescence. Stevens took his punishment with great dignity, kept fit and channelled his energy and aggression through martial arts, opened a coffee shop, kept himself busy and healthily distracted.
What they both did was they kept their mouths shut unless they were asked for an opinion, didn't court superficial publicity and they showed respect for their employers, colleagues / ex-colleagues and the fans.
Henson has done the polar opposite on all counts.
Jimbo February 03, 2011 5:19 pm
@ Dutch, Matt Stevens has had a couple of years 'off' so it'll be interesting to see how he gets on. As for Anon saying all Brits are racist is actually a racist comment in itself and it shows how narrow minded you are. Please don't lump us all together. P.s. when you refer to Britian do you mean Wales, England, Scotland or N.Ireland? Just curious :)
Anonymous February 03, 2011 6:06 pm
To anons above, saying French armies have always surrendered in the past, I recommend that you reopen a few history books.. Look at the 1789-1815 period especially. All the monarchies joined forces, but France withstood the pressure and showed the way towards a new era. Then Napoleon, arguably one of the biggest badass in history of armed forces, steadily kicked everyone's ass in Europe for close to 20 years, and had every country in mainland Europe yield.
Then look at WWI: did we surrender to the germans then ? WWII: terrible time for France, whose honor was soiled indeed. But the Free French Force (lead by De Gaulle) fought along side the allies all the way.
Then look at WWI: did we surrender to the germans then ? WWII: terrible time for France, whose honor was soiled indeed. But the Free French Force (lead by De Gaulle) fought along side the allies all the way.
Dutchrugbyplayer February 03, 2011 6:35 pm
Yeh true about wilkinson, him and some if the other you named seem very resilient and like I said rugby is a tough game. That's why us Dutch don't play rugby, it's too hard for us!!
Anonymous February 03, 2011 6:39 pm
"ok so you're definately racist, which is not very surprising cause you're a brit."
France is not a race you garlic munching moron.
France is not a race you garlic munching moron.
KG February 03, 2011 6:45 pm
I don't think he deserves half the shit he gets. Henson may be a bit of a pretty boy, but he doesn't seem arrogant or cocky or seem to think that the Wales team is about him from what I've seen in interviews, etc. He's doing what's best for him. Why wouldn't he? If I was in his position, I'd probably make similar decisions.
Ste-Rex February 03, 2011 6:58 pm
Off topic but Napoleon wasn't that much of a badass he had an inferiority complex and one of the reasons that he lost the Battle of Waterloo was because he couldn't survey the battlefield on horseback because his haemmoroids were giving him too much trouble.
ps Henson is a spent force don't really understand why Toulon or any other rugby team would won't him he's absolutely terrible and far too individualistic.
From a neutral Irishman
ps Henson is a spent force don't really understand why Toulon or any other rugby team would won't him he's absolutely terrible and far too individualistic.
From a neutral Irishman
Anonymous February 03, 2011 7:22 pm
Henson has two goals.
1) Make money and live the celebrity lifestyle
2) End his rugby career having said he played at the world cup (only thing he feels is missing- see the scrum v interview).
Never once have I heard him interviewed and mention anything about love of the game or the desire for the team to succeed...
1) Make money and live the celebrity lifestyle
2) End his rugby career having said he played at the world cup (only thing he feels is missing- see the scrum v interview).
Never once have I heard him interviewed and mention anything about love of the game or the desire for the team to succeed...
(u-p)rick February 03, 2011 7:57 pm
Exactly the impression I get from him ^^^ I'm sure he used to love it, but he doesn't show it anymore...
Anonymous February 03, 2011 9:08 pm
Depends how you define "bad ass" then, if his piles got the better of him. I would propose Nelson (Horatio, that is) as the biggest military badass, certainly of that era anyway.
Napolean was undoubtedly an incredible leader, like a French scrum-half, mouthy little git bossing the big boys around and making them put their bodies on the line.
Nelson, on the other hand, used to actually "get stuck into the rucks and mauls" boarding boats and slicing and dicing his enemies, losing an arm and an eye in the process. He handed Napolean his ar5e at Trafalgar, only for the cheeky git to rise again and ultimately taken down by another Englishman, albeit one more in the fly-half mould - Wellington.
Napolean was undoubtedly an incredible leader, like a French scrum-half, mouthy little git bossing the big boys around and making them put their bodies on the line.
Nelson, on the other hand, used to actually "get stuck into the rucks and mauls" boarding boats and slicing and dicing his enemies, losing an arm and an eye in the process. He handed Napolean his ar5e at Trafalgar, only for the cheeky git to rise again and ultimately taken down by another Englishman, albeit one more in the fly-half mould - Wellington.
orange February 03, 2011 10:50 pm
So what's that make Napoleon, a short man who loved to piss people off: a scrumhalf? If he would've been fatter, I'd say hooker, but I think of Pierre Mignoni when I think of Napoleon in a rugby kit.
Canadian content February 03, 2011 11:18 pm
Other than big kick to win a game once and dump tackling a 19 yar old a couple of times, what has he really done?
he's over hyped and does not deserve the attention he gets.
he's over hyped and does not deserve the attention he gets.
Resident Troll February 04, 2011 12:32 am
Ok, I could be way way off here, but I notice there are a few 'I get the impressions here' I also get the same sort of impressions from everything I have seen/read/heard about him. I can imagine him being too 'badass' (this is Henson I'm talking about, not napoleon or nelson...) to give people the time of day, I mean I can imagine some kid thinking Henson is his hero, asking him for an autograph only to have Henson abrasively tell him no...
He seems like he is after all the hype and craves media attention... I mean this little stunt is the kind of thing you see 'new to senior rugby' players doing only to realise it's harder to act tough when the opposition pack isn't scared of you and is about to eat you....(as seen here)
He seems like he is after all the hype and craves media attention... I mean this little stunt is the kind of thing you see 'new to senior rugby' players doing only to realise it's harder to act tough when the opposition pack isn't scared of you and is about to eat you....(as seen here)
Flipje February 04, 2011 8:18 am
I can only hope that Henson will get the same successfull comeback as Wilko. But I am a bit afraid there is a huge gap in term of mentality between those two....
Good luck to him anyway, if he is seriously about it, because Toulon fans will probably let him feel, if he is not.....
Still I trust more St Andre than Boudjellal on this one....
Ps: what about this bloody none sense about Frogs/Rosbiefs/Nelson and Napoleon.....I thought the Crunch was only in 3/4 weeks time....
Good luck to him anyway, if he is seriously about it, because Toulon fans will probably let him feel, if he is not.....
Still I trust more St Andre than Boudjellal on this one....
Ps: what about this bloody none sense about Frogs/Rosbiefs/Nelson and Napoleon.....I thought the Crunch was only in 3/4 weeks time....
Flipje February 04, 2011 8:30 am
@ orange
"So what's that make Napoleon, a short man who loved to piss people off: a scrumhalf? If he would've been fatter, I'd say hooker, but I think of Pierre Mignoni when I think of Napoleon in a rugby kit."
No mate, the only true general was Jacques Fouroux aka the "Little Caporal"(1.62m) (Bonaparte nickname too).
He is the benchmark for the small annoying/outspoken/gifted French scrum half (Berbizier/Hueber/Mignoni/Parra).
He lived only for one reason: leading his front pack against the English.
An amazing character....
"So what's that make Napoleon, a short man who loved to piss people off: a scrumhalf? If he would've been fatter, I'd say hooker, but I think of Pierre Mignoni when I think of Napoleon in a rugby kit."
No mate, the only true general was Jacques Fouroux aka the "Little Caporal"(1.62m) (Bonaparte nickname too).
He is the benchmark for the small annoying/outspoken/gifted French scrum half (Berbizier/Hueber/Mignoni/Parra).
He lived only for one reason: leading his front pack against the English.
An amazing character....
WelshOsprey February 04, 2011 8:37 am
Hes just trying to get as much money as possible now. If he cared about rugby he would of stuck with the ospreys and worked hard to regain his place.
Was a great talent but ive lost a lot of respect for him.
Was a great talent but ive lost a lot of respect for him.
cheyanqui February 04, 2011 4:58 pm
I know who Charlie Hodgson is. He was that guy opposite Eddie Murphy in "Trading Places", right?
Mike February 04, 2011 5:03 pm
Henson is a grade A cock. in his own words, i thought he wanted to move to saracens so he could be closer to his children?
Geography isn't his strong point, unless his children are French.
Was a class player a few years ago though.
Geography isn't his strong point, unless his children are French.
Was a class player a few years ago though.
Grayditch February 06, 2011 12:16 pm
this guy is such a cunt.so much hype for nothing
Toby September 16, 2011 7:34 pm
I was at this game and remember it well. The Dean Thomas sending off was the funniest bit as the ref forgot that he had carded him before - they had to call him back to send him off. Hilarious!
I guess you had to be there.
I guess you had to be there.
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