Nicolas James Henderson

Nic Henderson was born in Queensland’s Darling Downs but his first taste of rugby union was in the Riverina district of New South Wales. Schooled in Wagga Wagga, Henderson represented Riverina Combined High Schools in the NSW Country Schools’ Competition of 1997. However, he was also keen on rugby league and played for the local Turvey Park Wanderers. From there Henderson won a contract with the Melbourne Storm in 2000 although he spent much of the next two seasons with the Storm’s feeder club, Norths in Brisbane.

In 2002, Henderson returned to rugby with the Canberra Vikings and won selection for the Australian U21s. He made his Super Rugby debut against the Blues in 2004, started at tighthead in the Brumbies’ final victory over the Crusaders and then a few weeks later played his maiden Test against the Pacific Islanders in Adelaide. He picked up single caps in each of the next two seasons but was never selected in a Test run-on XV. Nonetheless Henderson finished his Test career with an enviable 100% winning record.

In 2013, Henderson retired from professional rugby with the unenviable record of having played the most Super Rugby matches without scoring a try.

Highlights

2002

Selected in the Australian squad for the inaugural IRB U21s Junior World Championship tournament in South Africa.

2004

Henderson won his first Test cap off the bench when he replaced Stirling Mortlock at outside centre (and then switched with George Smith at blindside flanker) in the 29-14 victory over the Pacific Islanders.

2005

He won one cap as a replacement loosehead prop in the 74-7 triumph over Samoa in Sydney.

2006

Henderson won his final Test cap when he replaced Guy Shepherdson at tight head prop in the 25-18 win against Italy in Roma.