Essay Banu (born 25 May 2002) is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL Women's Premiership.
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 25 May 2002 Tully, Queensland, Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 167 cm (5 ft 6 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 97 kg (15 st 4 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Prop, Second-row | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: [1] As of 22 September 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
She represented Papua New Guinea at the 2021 Women's Rugby League World Cup.
Background
editBanu was born in Tully, Queensland and is of Papua New Guinean and Torres Strait Islander islander descent.[2][3]
She played her junior rugby league for the Tully Tigers and attended Tully State High School.[4]
Playing career
editIn 2022, Banu played for the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the QRL Women's Premiership, where she was named the competition's Prop of the Year.[5][6]
In November 2022, she represented Papua New Guinea at the Women's World Cup, playing four games and scoring a try in their 34–12 win over Canada.[7]
2023
editOn 10 February, Banu signed for the Mackay Cutters in the QRL Women's Premiership.[8] On 11 February, Banu played for the Indigenous All Stars.[9]
On 24 April, Banu signed with the North Queensland Cowboys NRLW side.[10]
In Round 4 of the 2023 NRL Women's season, Banu made her NRLW debut in the Cowboys' 16–12 win over the Wests Tigers.[11]
2024
editIn May, Banu started at prop in the Cutters' Grand Final win over the Norths Devils.[12]
In Round 1 of the 2024 NRL Women's season, Banu came off the bench in the Cowboys' 14–0 loss to the Cronulla Sharks.[13]
References
edit- ^ "Essay Banu - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org.
- ^ "Torres News Edition 72". Issuu. 16 March 2023.
- ^ "Viral highlights reel opening doors for Far North rugby league teen". Cairns Post. 6 August 2019.
- ^ "Banu excited to be part of Orchids squad for World Cup". PNG National. 30 August 2022.
- ^ "BMD Premiership: Full squad lists for 2022". QRL. 27 March 2022.
- ^ "Tuaupiki and Storch take top honours at QRL Awards". 23 September 2022. 23 September 2022.
- ^ "Orchids get their World Cup off to a perfect start". League Unlimited. 2 November 2022.
- ^ "Mackay Cutters sign Orchids prop for 2023 season". PNG National. 10 February 2023.
- ^ "2023 NRLW All Stars". Nothing But League. 11 February 2023.
- ^ "PNG Orchids World Cup stars join Cowboys". NQ Cowboys. 24 April 2023.
- ^ "Late Peters try steals win for Cowboys over Wests Tigers". NRL.com. 12 August 2023.
- ^ "'For the north': Mackay Cutters claim BMD Premiership title". QRL. 25 May 2024.
- ^ "Tonegato leads the way as Sharks shutout Cowboys". NRL.com. 27 July 2024.