Rugby trailblazer earns Reds call-up

Bull Sharks coach Shannon Symon has declared Zoe Hanna a Wallaroo-in-waiting after the barnstorming backrower was selected for the Queensland Reds’ tour of Tonga.

The former John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholar, who has returned to Bond this year to study a Doctor of Physiotherapy after graduating with a Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Medicine, has been named to earn her first cap for the Reds against the Tongan national side on Friday.

The trailblazer, who was the first female recipient of a rugby scholarship at Bond University, is one of eight Bull Sharks to make the 25-strong Reds squad.

Symon said Hanna had been one of the form players in Queensland Premier Women’s Rugby for the past two years and was a driving force behind the Bull Sharks’ back-to-back QPR premiership campaigns.  

“Zoe is well overdue her time with the Reds,” he said.

“She is consistently our best player week in and week out, she is a very strong ball carrier, dominant in the tackle and has a very high workrate.

“She is by far the best No.8 in the competition.

“Do not be surprised if Zoe finds herself in a Green and Gold jersey next season.’’

Hanna, who won the player of the match award in the Bull Sharks’ 15-12 2023 Grand Final triumph over Sunnybank at Ballymore Stadium, intends to soak up every experience of the tour and has vowed to shadow the experienced Super Rugby and International players in a bid to learn as much as she can about competing at the elite level.   

“I am super excited for the opportunity to travel with the team and learn from the girls around me,” she said.

“It will be interesting to learn about the culture and meet the Tongan women.

“Footy is always a good time so I’m also looking forward to that and the chances it may bring.

“Tonga will be a physical team and should be a good chance to see where the team is at.”

Joining Hanna among the new faces in the squad is Bull Sharks teammate and Wallaroo player of the year Eva Karpani. 

The 26 Test prop was a part of the NSW Waratah’s 2024 Super W championship winning campaign. 

The Bull Sharks other Wallaroos, Mel Wilks, Madi Schuck and Ariana Hiro are also in the squad alongside Reds players Grace Baker, Charlie Jacobi and Lucy Thorpe.   

With eight players on the tour, the Bull Sharks are the most represented club in the squad which will be led by interim coach Andrew Fraser from Easts Rugby club. 

They will be absent for Saturday’s clash against Easts who has supplied four players of their own to the tour. 

Queensland Reds women’s tour squad: Lori Cramer (UQ), Tess Littleton (UQ), Leilani Hills (Easts), Ivania Wong (Sunnybank), Caitlin Urwin (UQ), Mel Wilks (Bond Uni), Mercedez Taulelei-Siala (Sunnybank), Ariana Hira (Bond Uni), Carys Dallinger (Easts), Nat Wright (UQ), Wynonah Conway (Brothers), Bliss Wilkins (Brothers Sunshine Coast), April Ngatupuna (Easts), Maggie McConnachie (Brothers), Carola Kreis (Easts), Zoe Hanna (Bond Uni), Grace Baker (Bond Uni), Tiarah Minns (Manly, Sydney), Lucy Thorpe (Bond Uni), Zephronia Setu (UQ), Tiarna Molloy (Easts), Madi Schuck (Bond Uni), Alapeta Ngauamo (GPS), Eva Karpani (Bond Uni), Charli Jacoby (Bond Uni).