[3] Hercus was born in Falls Church, Virginia, but his parents returned to their native Australia where he was brought up and educated at Shore School in North Sydney.
The American national team, the USA Eagles, gave him a route into international rugby union.
Hercus played at Sale Sharks for two seasons as Charlie Hodgson's understudy before moving to Llanelli Scarlets.
He returned to the US for the start of the 2007 U.S. Rugby Super League season, where he played for Belmont Shore and was in the US Falcons NA4 squad.
In 2010, Hercus returned to Australia and his junior club the Gordon Highlanders to compete in the Shute Shield.