Few players have left more stud marks on The Canal turf than Zoe Hanna.
The Bond Bull Sharks star is one of the hardest-working footballers ever to don the blue and gold — and now, her relentless pursuit of excellence has taken her one step closer to the biggest stage in women’s rugby.
Hanna has been selected in her first Wallaroos training squad. She joins Bull Sharks premiership teammate Eva Karpani among the 40 players invited to the national training camp ahead of the Wallaroos’ opening Test match of the year against the Fijiana.
“I’m so stoked to get this opportunity that I’ve been working so hard for,” she said.
“While I’m nervous going into the camp, I can’t wait to learn from the girls around me and gain experience in an international environment.
“Coaches like Lawrence (Bond coach Lawrence Faifua) have helped me so much throughout this journey and I couldn’t be more grateful for everything.’’
It was just nine months ago that then-Bull Sharks coach Shannon Symon made a bold prediction: Hanna would soon wear Wallaroos gold. At the time, the 21-year-old hadn’t even cracked a Queensland Reds Super W contract.
Fast forward to today and Hanna has ticked every box: she captained the Bull Sharks to a third straight Queensland Premier Rugby title in 2024, then starred in the Reds' march to the Super W final against the Waratahs.
Now, Wallaroos coach Jo Yapp has given Hanna the chance to make Symon’s prediction come true.
And longtime Bull Sharks coach and mentor Lawrence Faifua has backed her to make the most of her opportunity.
“She has captured the attention of the Aussie coach and selectors with her form in the back-end of the Super W season,” he said.
“They are about to learn a bit more about her as a footballer — how hard she works and that she sees every single session as an opportunity to get better.
“I am excited to see how she grows as a player with the elite coaching and training alongside the best players in the country.”
There are 11 uncapped players in the squad, including Hanna’s Reds teammate and 7s sensation Charlotte Caslick, who continues to impress in her transition to the 15-a-side game.
The current 40-player group will be trimmed to 30 ahead of the May 3 Test against the Fijiana, before expanding again to 36 for the Pacific Four series. That includes blockbuster home matches against New Zealand in Newcastle (May 10), the USA in Canberra (May 17), and Canada at Suncorp Stadium (May 23).
“After a very competitive and successful Super Rugby Women’s competition, we have selected a squad that can continue the momentum built off the WXV 2 win last year,” Yapp said.
“It’s an exciting year for women’s rugby and the preparation we have with seven Test matches over the next three months is going to be crucial ahead of the World Cup.
“The squad is a mix of youth and experience with some new and returning players earning their opportunities. We are looking forward to seeing these players connect and grow throughout the upcoming camps and Pacific Four series.”
At Bond, Hanna is already a legend.
She was the first female recipient of the John Eales Rugby Excellence Scholarship, a key figure in the club’s three-year unbeaten run of QPR, 7s and Australian Club Championships and is excelling in a Doctor of Physiotherapy degree, having completed her undergraduate degree in Exercise and Sports Science.
“She has been an incredible player for the Bull Sharks, a key figure in our run of premiership victories and you couldn’t ask for a better club person,” Faifua said.
“We are all so proud of Zoe.”