James Hendren

James Hendren was born and bred in Sydney, attending St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill alongside current teammates Max Jorgensen and Jack Barrett.

With his father from New Zealand and mother from Australia, the full back started playing rugby when he was five, his first club being Norths Pirates in Cammeray. He was inspired by the likes of former Tahs Kurtley Beale and Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Hendren had his first taste of rep rugby in his final two years at St Joseph’s College, playing for the Waratahs under-18s in 2021 during a Covid disrupted season. He was also named in the club’s U19s squad in 2022 but was ruled out with injury.

Hendren really shone when playing for Randwick first grade in 2023 and returned to Waratahs to train with the main squad that year.

The Randwick Shute Shield player burst onto the professional rugby scene during Super Rugby AUS in 2025, when he scored an incredible four tries in the 47-19 win over the Reds in Narrabri in Round 2.

Hendren plays the guitar away from the field and likes to juggle before a game to help calm his nerves.