James Hendren has revealed how he had no idea he was about to upstage Wallabies stars Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Andrew Kellaway and Max Jorgensen and claim the NSW Waratahs' prized fullback role.
Hendren will line up in the NSW No.15 jumper for the second week running against the Fijian Drua on Friday night after making an impressive Super Rugby Pacific debut in the Waratahs' season-opening 36-12 win over Queensland.
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With an embarrassment of riches at his disposal, Waratahs coach Dan McKellar shocked everyone, including Hendren, when he opted for the 23-year-old Randwick product over Kellaway in particular.
After starting Suaalii at fullback in all but one game last season, McKellar opted for the code-hopper at outside centre where he was deployed for the Wallabies in 2025, while playing the equally versatile Jorgensen on the wing.
"It was a dream-come-true moment, very pinched," Hendren said on Thursday of his surprise selection.
"We had a really tough pre-season just physically and then to get rewarded with that opportunity in round one, to play in front of family and friends against Reds as well, with that NSW-Reds rivalry, definitely a dream come true."
A graduate of renowned rugby nursery, St Joey's, Hendren was stunned to get called into McKellar's office last week.
"It was a bit of a shock," he said.
"I didn't have much inkling throughout the pre-season - I was obviously hopeful - and then the days leading up to team announcement I wasn't hearing much.
"So I thought, 'Oh well, I'm a bit far off, probably no chance here', and then luckily Dan said come see me in the morning.
"I went in and then he told me the news and I couldn't stop smiling for the next sort of week."
A range of injuries held Hendren back, limiting the former schoolboy's standout to only 15 Shute Shield games for Randwick since 2021.
"I mean, I was confident in my ability and I was hopeful, but to actually get that chat with Dan was, yeah, pretty amazing," he said.
"I think I was probably more nervous throughout the week before than actual game day because, come game day, I've done my week, I've got my process right.
"I just got out and was able just to play footy, but managing all my family's emotions, my emotions, friends' emotions, it was probably tougher than the game."
The rookie admitted to finding the pace of Super Rugby as another level but said the support of his experienced teammates had been invaluable.
"It was definitely a massive step up. You could feel the atmosphere and physicality," Hendren said.
"Every collision, you're tackling or going against probably world-class players - some of those Reds players especially.
"So it was definitely a step up: skill, pace, everything like that I expected it, but I was pretty happy with how I handled it."
Now he's had a taste, Hendren hopes to make the No.15 jumper his own this season.
"It's definitely an unbelievable opportunity," he said.
"I just try to learn from those boys as well. Obviously they've been there, they've got that experience. I'm quite new to it.
"But 'Kells' has been unbelievable, just sort of chatting to him throughout the weeks leading up to it. He's been nothing but helpful and I've learned so much from him. Same as 'Jorgo'.
"I'm in a very, very luck position.
"So yeah, I've definitely had to aim a little higher now after reaching my (starting) goal straight off the bat."
