PICTURE: Cavan Flynn
By Pat McLeod
Bond University Rugby Club players Angus Blyth, Alex Mafi and Zane Nonngorr have all been recalled to the Queensland Reds squad for what is shaping as an action-packed 2022 rugby season.
The three forwards were part of the successful Reds campaign this year that resulted in a Super Rugby AU title with a come-from-behind 19-16 win over the Brumbies.
All three were recently named in a 32-man Queensland squad for 2022 and their end-of-season ‘rest’ will be extremely short with the new and exciting Super Rugby Pacific competition set to begin on February 18.
This 12-team competition will involve all five Australian and all five New Zealand Super Rugby franchises, plus the inclusion of Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika.
Bond University Director of Rugby Luca Liussi congratulated the three players describing them as ‘great ambassadors of Bond rugby’.
“All three are outstanding, on and off the field,” he said.
“Alex has spent recent months overcoming a very serious hamstring injury and Angus and Zane not only were part of Bond First Grade’s late season charge, but they have also been assisting the other teams in their preparation for last weekend’s semi-finals.
“Their continued involvement is what this club is all about. When you play for Bond it is about a whole-of-club approach. Yes, it is fantastic for players to achieve their representative dreams via Bond, but just as important is that each player feels that he or she is genuinely part of the Bond family.
“Of course, the selection of Bond players for higher representative honours shows what a crucial part of the rugby pathway this club supplies.
“There will be more announcements over coming weeks in relation to the Reds training network, whether that be Reds contracts or Reds Academy and I am sure there will be a number of Bond players involved in those announcements.
“But for now, well done to Angus, Alex and Zane.”