Flanker makes impressive debut

Former Wairarapa-Bush flanker Sam Henderson played a starring role for Germany when they beat Netherlands 29-10 in a European Nations Cup first division rugby match in Amsterdam on Saturday.
It was Henderson's debut game for Germany and according to another former Wairarapa-Bush rep in Aaron Satchwell, who these days coaches the SC 1880 Frankfurt club side in which Henderson is a key figure, he could hardly have been more impressive.
In an email to the Wairarapa Times-Age, Satchwell said Henderson had a strong all-round game and was particularly effective on defence.
Perhaps his best moment came in a lineout when Germany were down to 13 men after having had two players yellow carded within minutes of each other. It was Netherlands's throw but Henderson managed to steal the ball and deliver it to his backs who were able to relieve a dangerous situation.
Satchwell has little doubt Henderson will retain his place in the Germany team to play Hong Kong on December 18.
"On this performance he could hardly miss," he said.
Henderson played several matches for Wairarapa-Bush through the mid-2000s and was an integral part of both the side which won the very last NPC third division title in 2005 and also that which won the very first Meads Cup Heartland championship title in 2006. He also made the national Heartland side which toured Argentina in 2006.
Germany is a third-tier rugby-playing nation which has never qualified for the World Cup. They regularly compete in the European Nations Cup, the senior men's tournament for European nations below the Six Nations.
The German team is still largely an amateur side.
Henderson is by no means the only Wairarapa-Bush rep to have played club rugby there with Marist duo, halfback Api Matenga and utility forward Corey Reid, actually having been teammates of Henderson in S C 1880 Frankfurt's senior side.