Wallabies confirm breakout star’s Nations Championship campaign is over

Test rookie Isaac Henry will take no further part in the November Nations Championship phase due to a hamstring injury, but the Wallabies have chosen not to call in a replacement ahead of this weekend’s clash with Scotland in Edinburgh.

Henry has emerged as a reliable Wallabies starter under coach Les Kiss, who has named the 27-year-old in the run-on XV five times this season. The utility back lined up at outside centre in the team’s Spring Tour opener against England, who claimed a clinical 45-22 win on Sunday.

As the Wallabies look to snap a three-match losing run, the Aussies have been dealt a tough blow. They are already missing Hunter Paisami, who was selected in the initial Spring Tour squad but withdrew due to personal reasons.

Henry was joined in the centres against England by 2025 John Eales Medallist Len Ikitau, who has played a lot of Test rugby alongside Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii. But Suaalii has featured on the wing in three of the last four Tests.

Filipo Daugunu offers versatility across the backline, and 95-Test Wallaby Kurtley Beale is another option. Beale started at inside centre as the Western Force took out the club’s first Super Rugby AUS title last month and was recognised as one of the players of the tournament.

 

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Henry has had to overcome an incredibly tough run with injuries on the path to becoming Wallaby number 999 against the Brave Blossoms on August 8. Foot, knee and hamstring setbacks have sidelined Henry for long stretches over the last five years.

“My grandfathers and my dad, I’ve never been raised to complain. Particularly when it comes to the physical side of things. I feel like I’ve probably been blessed in how I was raised and also some genetics as well,” Henry told RugbyPass in April.

“I don’t think it was an external factor to be honest. My whole life I wanted to play rugby the best I could and I was so close so many times to putting my best foot forward,” he added.

“If I hung them up in those situations on injury terms rather than on my own terms, I would’ve never been able to live with myself.

“I’m incredibly driven to take my rugby to the next level and I always have been. I’ve had a fair few setbacks along the way physically with injuries but those setbacks have really given me a lot of perspective and a lot of gratitude.”