Fresh off a breakout performance in Super Rugby AUS, NSW Waratahs fullback James Hendren is eager to fight for a regular spot in an all-star backline.
Hendren was the find of the tournament as the Waratahs claimed the title, finishing as the top try scorer (four), along with second for metres (410) and clean breaks (six).
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The Randwick product took his chance with a host of stars with the Wallabies, following a tough couple of seasons with injuries.
“I always had that belief, but I think confidence is a bit separate, based on what you actually do, so I think my confidence went up massively from being able to show more what I can do and what I'm trying to do,” he told Rugby.com.au.
“It laid a pretty good platform for something for me to build on, and it was a lot of fun.
“... I want to be a player that can sort of cover your fullback, 10, even wing if I have to, so I'm just trying to build a really solid base to my game that allows me to fit in any piece of the puzzle, which going forward will be hopefully massive for my career.”
Hendren finds himself in a hotly contested battle for positions as the Wallabies players return to Australia and eventually begin training.
There are four capped Test players in the outside backs, including Max Jorgensen, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Andrew Kellaway and new recruit Harry Potter.
On top of that, Triston Reilly has been one of the club’s most consistent players over the past 18 months.
“I think you just have to, as cliché as it is, you do have to be a bit of a sponge and just wait for opportunity,” Hendren remarked when asked about competing with these guys.
“Kellaway's played all around the world, and his experience is pretty unmatched. Jorgo's a young guy coming through, and his confidence is something that I sort of try to learn from and then Su's just the ultimate professional.
“You try and pick apart, especially their game, how you can put them in your own, but in this environment, they're easy to talk to and open for a chat whenever.”
The Waratahs return to pre-season with their confidence high after their title success, with Hendren among a young core locked in for the future.
The fullback re-signed alongside RA Junior Player of the Year Sid Harvey, Australia U20 captain Eamon Doyle and young guns Leo Jacques and Austin Durbidge.
With the quartet key in the Super Rugby AUS campaign, Hendren is hoping the success marks the start of something special at Daceyville.
“I think success obviously was massive and gave a lot of confidence to the group. I think we've just got to reel ourselves back in and focus on ourselves and what we're trying to do day in, day out,” he explained.
“Dan’s [McKellar] always talks about wanting to build a culture that's based around winning so I think Super AUS was a good step in the right direction. Obviously, there is still a big jump between that and actual Super Rugby, but I think without a doubt, it gave confidence to the boys.
“...There’s that combination of young guys coming through that have this immense confidence and are just waiting to bite the bit of the opportunity, and then you balance that with the experience that those guys can offer.
"It's a really good combo because we keep the older guys on their toes, and they keep us honest in terms of where we're at realistically and where we're trying to get to.
“I think as much as winning is good for anything and everyone wants to win, I think it's an end goal and there's a lot of steps along the way that we need to go to deserve that right.”
