Queensland great Tazmin Rapana retires from representative football

Tazmin Rapana was a notable absence from the Queensland women’s team for Origin I, and she’s now announced her retirement from representative football.

Queensland veteran and Brisbane forward Tazmin Rapana has announced her retirement from representative rugby league, saying the toll on her body after last year’s State of Origin series is now too great.

The 29-year-old made the announcement on her podcast Moments, and comes after her notable absence from the Maroons team to play game one at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.

Rapana, who previously went by the surname Gray, has played 10 games for the Maroons over an illustrious representative career.

“It’s true, I have retired from representative footy,” she said.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 22: Tazmin Gray of the Maroons celebrates after winning the series during game two of the women's State of Origin series between New South Wales Skyblues and Queensland Maroons at Queensland Country Bank Stadium on June 22, 2023 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

“It wasn’t a choice that I made lightly but it was a choice that needed to be made. ”When you’ve been in the arena for so long, you don’t want to give it up, but it came to the point where my body wasn’t responding the way the body should respond and I had to make the decision to pull out of representative footy to get myself right and to be closer to my family.

“At the same time I’m super excited for the girls who are debuting, it’s an honour for them, and I’m excited to see how the series plays out.”

It brings to an end one of the most successful Origin careers.

Rapana has twice claimed the Nellie Doherty Medal, in 2021 and 2023, as the best player of the women’s Origin series.

Rapana is a part of the Broncos squad for 2025 after extending her contract with the club at the end of last season.

Originally published as Queensland great Tazmin Rapana retires from representative football