Bond rugby chief headed to Europe for Wallabies’ Italian tour

A key figure at Bond University will swap the blue and gold for green and gold when he joins the Wallabies this week. Read the latest from Bond here.

Bond University's Bullsharks new clubhouse, the Fabian Fay Club House. Luca Liussi. Picture: Jerad Williams

Bond University’s Director of Rugby Luca Liussi will be swapping the blue and gold of Bond University for the green and gold of the national side when he joins the Wallabies to assist team management for the Italian leg of their spring tour.

Liussi, who managed the Italian rugby team for five years after stints playing for Benetton Treviso and Silea in the 90s, will fly to Italy this week.

After a series of national rugby high performance roles, Liussi joined Bond five years ago. His local knowledge and understanding of the Italian game and its community will make him a huge asset on the tour.

Liussi said the opportunity to help the Australian squad arose over a cuppa with Wallabies General Manager Chris Webb.

“I met Chris when I was working with the Italian national team back when Italy had only just joined the Six Nations,” Liussi said. “He was telling me about the upcoming tour when we caught up for a coffee recently. He mentioned he didn’t know much about where the Wallabies were playing for the Italian test match. I helped him and his staff through my contacts and they asked me to travel to assist in the test week.”

Although he plans to spend a little time as a tourist after his official commitments, the first ten days of his visit will be non-stop work.

“I think people would be a bit surprised at the mechanics involved in setting up a daily training environment in an elite touring program for an organisation like the Wallabies,” Liussi said.

“While the players are getting themselves ready for this weekend’s test in France, I’ll be scoping out facilities in Italy ahead of the test a week later. The Wallaby staff have some specific requests and I’ll make sure these requests are delivered upon. Training grids, recovery facilities and equipment need to be organised for practice sessions, everything aligns with what the players and coaching staff have been training with while in camp. I’ll make sure all the restaurants and accommodation are suitable and ready. Even things like measuring playing surfaces to ensure everything is in its place so the group can enjoy the best and most familiar preparation possible.”

Liussi said he learns a lot from managing at the elite level.

“I can take plenty away from an experience like this. I hope lessons learned assist me to deliver a winning environment back home at Bond.”

The Wallabies hung on to win 16-15 in the first test of the tour against Scotland at Murrayfield earlier this week. They play France on Sunday with the game against Italy following a week later. The tour is rounded out with games against Ireland and Wales.

Bull Sharks storm the capital

Bond University have won the 2022 National University 7s series for the second year in a row after finishing second in the final tournament at the University of Canberra. Photo: Steven Tremain

By Jordan Hughes

Bond University have won the 2022 National University 7s series for the second year in a row after finishing second in the final tournament at the University of Canberra.

The Bull Sharks came to Canberra on top of the ladder having won both Adelaide and Newcastle legs but had to finish at least fourth to confirm the overall series title.

Although pipped in a controversial golden point thriller in the tournament decider, victories in Adelaide and Newcastle combined with a runners-up placing on the weekend meant the Bull Sharks could return home with their second consecutive National University 7s title safely in hand.

Melanie Wilks was named Player of the Tournament, and her sterling run of form should have her planted firmly on the national selection radar.

“I’m very proud of the effort and resilience our girls have shown across the entire series,” Wilks said.

“We got off to a slow start this weekend but managed to turn it around on day two and make the grand final to win.

“All the girls across the entire series did the hard work in the previous rounds so I was proud to help finish the job in Canberra.’’

The Bull Sharks women's program has developed an incredibly strong team culture across the 15s and 7s seasons — which Wilks put down to the efforts of coaching duo Setu Naseri and Lawrence Faifua.

“The key for us has always been family. No matter what is thrown at us we stick together and work hard for each other,” she said.

Wilks’ Player of the Series award was the icing on the cake of a tremendous season for the centre.

“I was happy with my performance. It definitely has been hard with the transition back to 7s from the 15s season especially from the fitness side. My body is hating me right now.”

Legal eagle Steyn hits form at Uni Games

Bond University student Rueben Steyn has unlocked the secret of the links in Perth to finish second in the 2022 Australian Uni Games golf. Photo: Supplied.

By Grace Knight

Bondy Rueben Steyn has unlocked the secret of the links in Perth to finish second in the 2022 Australian Uni Games golf.

Earlier this month a group of 10 Bondies attended the four-day golf tournament at Perth’s Secret Harbour Golf club where the Bachelor of Commerce/Laws student took home second place in both the gross and net scores.

The South African born Steyn moved to Brisbane at age nine where he first picked up golfing as a hobby in his early teens.

As a member of the Grand Golf club on the Gold Coast who currently only plays casually twice a week, Steyn wasn’t expecting such an admirable result in the national competition.

“The Uni Games were definitely a super exciting experience,” he said.

“The course itself was pretty difficult and I’d never been in a multi-day comp before, but I handled it a lot better than I thought I would and I really surprised myself to be honest.”

Most official PGA tournaments such as the Masters run for a minimum of four days, so the Uni Games creates a great opportunity for young golfers to gain the experience of a full-length competition.

“It really tested my consistency, as it becomes a bit of an endurance battle, I guess,” he said.

“Usually when playing golf, you really only get to play one round a week, so this was a chance to experience that full four days in a row and I was really pleased to play as well as I did.”

Outside of his regular comps at the Grand Golf Club, Steyn also is a member of the Bond Golf Club.

After a short intermission during Covid the club restarted last semester and its popularity was immediately clear, attracting more new members than any other club at this semester’s club sign on day.

Steyn said Bond’s golf community was a highlight for him each week allowing him to enjoy a casual hit with friends.

“Bond’s golf club is definitely good fun; we all meet up at least once or twice a week to play together, so being able to go over for the Uni Games with all those guys too was great,” Steyn said.

“Overall, the Uni Games were such a great time and a fun experience, and I will definitely be looking forward to next year’s tournament.”