After a luckless run with injury, Queensland Reds centre Isaac Henry is enjoying the simple pleasures of being back on the field again.
Henry has managed just six Super Rugby Pacific appearances for the Reds since turning out for Australia A in 2022.
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His most recent injury was a ruptured patellar tendon in March last year, keeping him on the sidelines for the entire 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season.
However, the 26-year-old made a triumphant return to the Queensland Reds during the British & Irish Lions.
He also featured against Tonga and the Saitama Wild Knights, where he was vice-captain, relishing the chance to get back on the field.
"Playing against guys that play 20 to 30 games a year and play high-level test footy in the British and Irish Lions, you can't really beat that," Henry told the media.
"I think it was a great back end of the season for me to just get some games, get the body ticking over and learn the little finer details in the game that you miss when you're not playing.
"I loved it, and I love playing footy. Every time I get the opportunity to play, I'm looking forward to it."
With consistent minutes and training under his belt, Henry was eager to compete in a stacked Reds midfield that includes Wallabies Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook, along with young guns Dre Pakeho and Frankie Goldsborough.
"I think the biggest takeaways from those three games are just the difference in how people approach the game and the little things you can learn from each of those games as well," he explained.
"I think the biggest thing for me is just to try and keep the body in a really good spot. The last couple of years have been pretty tough, but I think last season I started to find a bit of a rhythm, and I'm looking to build on that this pre-season and going into next year.
"Competition is great for any sport. Fortunately, in Queensland, we've got a lot of centres to pick from, and all are pretty talented.
"Guys like Dre, who's just come through, and you can only see that there's plenty of competition with Hunter and 'Fluky' and Frankie.
"I think it's a great year for us next year to try and compete and get the best out of each other because at the end of the day, it's a team sport, and I think if we're all competing for that spot and competing against each other, it's going to be the best case for the team."
Henry was also eager to reunite with Carter Gordon after the fly-half returned to the Queensland Reds and Rugby Union.
The two started together for Wests, with Henry well aware of what the playmaker could bring after his Wallabies return.
"I haven't played with 'Carty' for a few years now. I think the last game would have been for West in 2019. I'm looking forward to lacing the boots up and playing with him," he added.
"I think what he brings to a team is just his skill set. He's had experiences at the World Cup and down in Melbourne. I think he's dealt with a lot of setbacks in his short career so far.
"To play with a guy like that, with a head on his shoulders that he has, is going to be super exciting, and I can't wait for it."
