Career
He also competed at the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland, winning a bronze medal in the 4 x 110 yards men"s relay. Born in Gisborne and educated at Gisborne Boys" High School, Henderson made his provincial rugby union debut for Hawke"s Bay in 1944. Moving to Wanganui, where he worked as a dental technician, he played rugby union for the Kaierau Club, and 26 representative matches for Wanganui.
Henderson was top try scorer on the tour, with seven tries.
Henderson excelled in several sports, including sprinting. Following his return from South Africa he had little time to change sports and get into serious sprint training for the 1950 British Empire Games in Auckland.
He also competed in the 100 yards where he placed fifth in the final. A medium-sized wing at 1.72 m and 81 kg, Henderson is still credited with being one of the fastest All Blacks of all time, with a time of 9.7 seconds for 100 yards.
Henderson returned to club and representative rugby in Wanganui, playing three tests against the touring British Lions in 1950, and against them for Wanganui.
In all, he played 19 matches for the All Blacks, including seven internationals. Henderson had lost his job while playing in South Africa, so he announced he was headed to England to play in the professional league. lieutenant was then that the New Zealand Rugby Union banned him from union, a ban which lasted 38 years.
He signed with Huddersfield, where he stayed for seven years.
He played on the right wing (number 2) in Huddersfield"s 15–10 victory over Saint Helens in the 1953 Challenge Cup final during the 1952-1953 season at Wembley Stadium. Henderson played Right-wing, id est (that is) number 2, in Huddersfield"s 18-8 victory over Batley in the 1952 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1952-1953 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 15 November 1952.