Jimmy Hendren

Not to be confused with Jim Hendren.
James Hendren
Born (2003-01-22) 22 January 2003
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Height189 cm (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Weight93.5 kg (206 lb; 14 st 10 lb)[1]
SchoolSt Joseph's College, Hunters Hill
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback, Wing
Current team Waratahs
Youth career
2023–2025 Waratahs Academy
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2021– Randwick 15 (20)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
2025– Waratahs 4 (20)
Correct as of 10 March 2026

James Hendren (born 22 January 2003),[1] known as Jimmy Hendren,[2] is an Australian rugby union player who plays as a fullback for the Waratahs in the Super Rugby. Hendren has also played on the wing.[3]

Early career

Hendren was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia[1] and educated at St Joseph's College, Hunters Hill.[4] While at school he was selected in the 2019 "NSW I U16 Gen Blue" squad,[4] a training program with the New South Wales Waratahs. In 2021 Hendren began playing for the senior Randwick squad in Sydney's Shute Shield competition, and was also selected in the "NSW II Gen Blue U18s" squad.[5] In late 2023 The Daily Telegraph reported that Hendren had been in the Waratahs system,[3] with Australian rugby website Rugby News reporting in 2024 that the Waratahs were keen to hold on to him after his significant performances in the Shute Shield and interest from New Zealand's National Provincial Championship (NPC).[6] The website stated: "Hendren has been involved in the Waratahs' program for the past two seasons and Rugby News understands they want to hold onto him and see him as a long-term investment."[6]

In 2023 Hendren was selected in the Australian under-20s wider training squad ahead of the 2023 World Rugby U20 Championship.[7][8] He was later cut from the squad due to injury.[3]

Career

Hendren was named in the Waratahs' squad for the inaugural 2025 Super Rugby AUS competition,[9][10] a short-format, domestic rugby union competition featuring Australia's four Super Rugby franchises.[11][12][13] Hendren started at fullback for the Waratahs in the first round defeat to the Force.[14] In the second round the Waratahs faced off against arch-rivals the Queensland Reds. Hendren was once again named as the starting fullback. He scored the first try of the match, which was played in Narrabri, and finished with four tries overall.[15] The Waratahs won 47–19, sealing their first win of the competition.[15]

In February 2026, ahead of the first round of the 2026 Super Rugby season, Hendren was selected in the teams squad by coach Dan McKellar over Test-capped fullback Andrew Kellaway.[2][16] Hendren made his professional Super Rugby debut for the Waratahs against arch-rivals the Queensland Reds on 13 February 2026 in their first round clash. Starting at No. 15,[17] the Waratahs won the match 36–12 at the Sydney Football Stadium, with teammate Max Jorgensen scoring a double.[18]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "James Hendren | Player Profile | Waratahs". waratahs.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union.
  2. ^ a b Payten, Iain (11 February 2026). "Waratahs opt for 'Ferrari' debutant over Wallaby stars for season opener". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  3. ^ a b c Lulham, Amanda (1 October 2023). "Future Wallabies: Waratahs coach, experts pick 22 best rugby NSW teens, schoolboys, Academy stars". The Daily Telegraph. News Corp Australia. Archived from the original on 3 August 2023.
  4. ^ a b "U16 Gen Blue squad selected". nsw.rugby. New South Wales Rugby Union. 5 August 2019. Archived from the original on 29 November 2022.
  5. ^ "NSW Gen Blue U18s name strong squads to play QLD". Rugbynews.net.au. 21 June 2021. Archived from the original on 17 April 2025.
  6. ^ a b "Why Randwick's in-form fullback James Hendren is Tommy Turbo charged". Rugbynews.net.au. 12 July 2024. Archived from the original on 19 April 2025.
  7. ^ Williamson, Nathan (17 February 2023). "Junior Wallabies confirm first squad of 2023". Rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 30 April 2024.
  8. ^ "Max Jorgensen One of Twelve Waratahs Named in Junior Wallabies Squad" (PDF). The Tah Times. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 August 2023.
  9. ^ "NSW Waratahs Select Exciting Blend of Elite, Academy and Club Players for Super Rugby AUS". waratahs.rugby (Press release). New South Wales Rugby Union. 2 September 2025. Archived from the original on 3 September 2025. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  10. ^ Lulham, Amanda (4 September 2025). "Club guns, rising stars, old faces named for Waratahs Super Rugby AUS and U19s battle v Force". The Daily Telegraph. News Corp Australia.
  11. ^ Doran, Christy (17 June 2025). "Super Rugby AUS season launched as Rugby Australia finally gets serious with development pathway". The Roar.
  12. ^ Wasiliev, Nick (17 June 2025). "Rugby Australia confirms new domestic Super Rugby AUS competition to kick off in September". Rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 July 2025.
  13. ^ "Rugby Australia revives 'third tier' competition with Super Rugby AUS". ESPN. 17 June 2025.
  14. ^ Wasiliev, Nick (12 September 2025). "Western Force second half blitz blows away Waratahs to kick off Super Rugby AUS in style". Rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 14 September 2025.
  15. ^ a b Wasiliev, Nick (20 September 2025). "Super Rugby AUS: Hendren bags four as NSW Waratahs blow Queensland Reds away in Narrabri". Rugby.com.au. Archived from the original on 26 September 2025.
  16. ^ Williamson, Nathan (11 February 2026). "James Hendren: The new Waratahs fullback backed over Wallabies for Reds derby". Rugby.com.au.
  17. ^ "Jorgensen double helps NSW Waratahs to Super derby win". super.rugby. 13 February 2026.
  18. ^ "NSW Waratahs defeat Queensland Reds 36-12 in opening round of Super Rugby Pacific". ABC News. 14 February 2026.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.