The Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia are pleased to confirm tighthead prop Zane Nonggorr has re-committed to Australian Rugby for a further two years.
The 23-year-old’s contract extension comes as the Queensland Reds look to build momentum ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific finals, with just two rounds of the regular season remaining.
Born in Cairns in Far North Queensland of Australian and Papua New Guinean descent, Nonggorr played his first Rugby for the Gold Coast Eagles under-10s before going on to complete his secondary education at The Southport School.
It was there he played three seasons in the first XV, captaining the side to an undefeated premiership in his final year (2019), before being selected in the Australian Schools &U18s side that defeated New Zealand Schools for the first time since 2012.
He went on to earn a spot in the Reds Super Rugby squad the following year, making his professional debut at the Sydney Cricket Ground against the NSW Waratahs in 2020 at just 19 years of age.
Consistent performances for his state over the following two seasons saw him earn selection as the youngest player in the 2023 Wallabies Rugby Championship squad, making his Wallabies debut in the side’s first Test of the year against South Africa in Pretoria. His second opportunity in gold came against New Zealand in Dunedin.
Two days following his first Bledisloe Cup Test, Nonggorr was selected in the Wallabies 2023 Rugby World Cup squad, boarding the plane to France where he would represent his country three more times in his debut international season.
Wallabies and Queensland Reds prop Zane Nonggorr said: “It’s a great feeling to have this security for the next few years while I continue to develop my game.”
“It’s good to stay in Queensland. I grew up here and I want to contribute to the best possible finish for the Reds (this season).
“Last year with the Wallabies was a massive experience for me with all the learnings I took out of it. It’s really helped me become a better player.”
Rugby Australia Director of High-Performance Peter Horne said: “Zane is a promising young prop who has already had Test experience and is still at the start in his career.”
“His re-signing is a positive for Australian Rugby and we look forward to watching him continue to work hard in Queensland under Les Kiss and the Reds staff.”
Queensland Reds General Manager-Professional Rugby Sam Cordingley said: “Zane debuted for the Reds at 19 and he’s progressed to last year’s World Cup as another Wallaby developed within our program. He still has a lot of upside in his game which we expect we’ll see in the next two years.”
Position: Prop
Height: 187cm
Weight: 130kg
Born: 30 March 2001
Place of birth: Cairns, Queensland
Super Rugby Pacific debut: 2020 v NSW Waratahs in Sydney
Super Rugby Pacific caps: 37 (Queensland Reds)
Test debut: 2023 v South Africa in Pretoria
Test caps: 5
Wallabies v Wales, 7:45pm AEST, Saturday July 6 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v Wales, 7:45pm AEST, Saturday July 13 at AAMI Park, Melbourne
Wallabies v Georgia, 3:45pm AEST, Saturday July 20 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v South Africa, 2:45pm AEST, Saturday August 10 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies v South Africa, 5:45pm AWST, Saturday August 17 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Wallabies v New Zealand, 3:45pm AEST, Saturday September 21 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Tickets to the Wallabies 2024 Home Tests are available to purchase here.
