Woodward denies Henson rift, coaching stoush

Reports of Lions midfielder Gavin Henson threatening to quit the New Zealand tour and a stoush between two assistant coaches have been kicked to touch by coach Clive Woodward.

Sunday News' back page story said Henson had to be talked into staying on the tour last week, and that assistant coach Eddie O'Sullivan and defence coach Phil Larder had a heated confrontation after the 3-21 first test loss to the All Blacks.

Woodward today labelled the Henson story "absolute nonsense" and said "I've never had to speak to Gavin about anything".

"Gavin gets a lot of media but he's been a complete role model. I haven't had to work hard on any player and if I did, there's no way I would have selected him for the test match," Woodward said.

"He, like all the Welsh players, has been brilliant. There's been none of that. Behind the scenes the players have been incredibly professional, and I'd put him right at the top as the most professional."

Henson wasn't selected for the first test and when he heard rumours he was on the outer for the second test, he needed to be talked into staying on tour.

The paper said Henson was persuaded by his parents, and Wales assistant coach Scott Johnson who is part of the Lions' management, to rejoin the squad before being named in the second test side.

Woodward said Henson suffered "a bit of concussion" in last night's test and will be reassessed before the third test team are named.

The paper also said Larder, Woodward's long-time defence coach, took umbrage at Ireland's O'Sullivan blaming the first test defeat on a number of under-performing England players.

"Eddie and Phil sit on the bus every day together. I know nothing about that at all," Woodward said.

Having angrily denied stories of a training brawl between forward Gordon Bulloch and John Hayes earlier in the tour, Woodward quipped of today's story: "I'm surprised there wasn't a brawl between them (O'Sullivan and Larder)".

Right on cue, to a sound of breaking glass outside the press conference room, Woodward added: "That's probably them throwing glasses at each other".

- NZPA