Bravehearts out to make sparks fly once more against the Kiwis

There have been numerous tales emerging from the Scotland World Cup camp following their wondrous tournament so far.

They face holders New Zealand in the quarter-finals at Headingley tonight having captured the hearts and minds of many with their remarkable progress through the group stages.

Josh Barlow is one of those stories, the industrious forward who struggled for a game at part-timers Swinton this season, but was drafted into Steve McCormack’s squad at late notice after an injury to new Hull KR signing Jonathan Walker.

Barlow has had to miss some training this week to catch up on installing those heating appliances, while the Phillips brothers from Workington needed to secure an extra week off from Sellafield where they are employed as electricians.

Before this tournament started, everyone thought the main sparks would be coming from a certain Sonny Bill Williams and co, but it is just as much Scotland and fellow underdogs Italy and the USA who have lit it up.

Henderson, the Catalan Dragons hooker who first came to prominence here with Bradford Bulls in 2005, says he is not surprised by the impact these Bravehearts have had.

“From the first day we came into camp, the camaraderie and team spirit was there,” he told the Yorkshire Post.

“Sometimes that can take a while to get established but not here. There was a special bond immediately and when you looked around you realised we had some real ability and class players, too.

“Even before our first game against Tonga I think we had a lot more belief than in the last World Cup (in 2008).

“That’s credit to the coaching staff. They’ve made the mood around the camp fantastic, really relaxed, and the boys have enjoyed each other’s company.

“It’s helped that we’re unbeaten still but it has been an unbelievable time.

“Now we have New Zealand. It is a great challenge. They’re the World Cup holders, have some quality players and everyone’s seen what they’ve done so far.

“It’s probably going to be the biggest game in any of our careers. I know it’s mine.

“If we play well we’ll give ourselves a chance. We know we can create stuff but we’ll see exactly where we are.”

Henderson, who was born in Torquay but has Scottish parents and was raised in Australia, concedes waiting to see if they made the last eight was agonising.

He had already missed their crucial win over USA, due to a slight knee injury – “I just felt really helpless” – but after Scotland secured that vital victory they still needed Tonga to beat Italy at Halifax on Sunday.

The video footage of them in their hotel, all breaking into a rousing rendition of Flower of Scotland when Tonga did them that favour, has since become a big hit on You Tube.

Henderson, 30, recalled: “Me and a couple of the lads were just going to play cards and watch a bit of the match in the background.

“But as soon as we got into that room we all just got sucked into the TV. Every tackle, pass, try, hit... and then the celebrations afterwards… it just showed how much we wanted this.”

Henderson averaged more than 40 tackles in each of the opening games, the shock win over Tonga and impressive draw against Italy, and realises his defensive fortitude will be called on more than ever against the Kiwis.

But he knows these opponents well; after leaving Odsal at the end of 2007, Henderson spent three years with New Zealand Warriors, whose players make up the majority of tonight’s foes.

Tackling huge winger Manu Vatuvei, who scored a hat-trick in New Zealand’s opener versus Samoa, is, strangely, something he is relishing.

“I’m looking forward to playing against Manu,” said Henderson. “I’ve seen him skittle blokes for years so now it’s time to see if I can get up and under him.

“Shaun Johnson is another I know from the Warriors who goes well at half and it’s important we look after him.

“It was the best move I could have made back then. I wanted to go back and be closer to my father and give myself the chance to play in the NRL.

“I loved my three years in Auckland and would have liked to stay longer.

“But I’ve loved every minute of my career. Bradford Bulls was an awesome time and I still have plenty of mates from back then.

“Every time I see any of them it’s just like it was all yesterday. Whether it’s Doctor Brooks, Nobby (Brian Noble) – who I saw at the USA game – or any of the players, what we did in 2005 winning that Grand Final is still there between us.

“There was a special bond in that group, too.”

Henderson, memorably, joined mid-season from Parramatta Eels when Bradford were in real dire straits.

They then embarked on a stunning run to finish third, however, and became the first side to win the Grand Final from outside of the top two.

Scotland will need a far greater Herculean effort to overcome a Kiwi side that has swaggered through the group stages.

Henderson, of course, could have been playing for England after being drafted into Steve McNamara’s elite training squad in March last year.

“I was in good form when called up but as soon as that happened I got a couple of injuries and at the back end that year I wasn’t playing well,” he said.

“Therefore, I wasn’t picked and rightly so. It’s simple. There’s no hard feelings.

“I’m very passionate about playing for Scotland and to reach the quarters has been amazing.

“For a small rugby league nation like Scotland, every moment of this World Cup has been incredible.

“We want that to carry on.”