Tania Naden

If there's a maul rolling towards the try line, chances are Tania Naden is the one finishing it off. 

A foundation Brumby, Wallaroo and one of the most respected figures in Australian women's rugby, Naden has built her reputation on toughness, consistency and an unmatched understanding of the game. Equally comfortable leading from the front or doing the unseen work in the trenches, she has become a cornerstone of both the Brumbies and Wallaroos forward packs. 

Born and raised in Canberra, Tania came to rugby later than many of her teammates, first picking up the game at 27 after a background in netball and touch football. It didn't take long for her natural strength, rugby intelligence and work ethic to shine through. Playing her club rugby with Uni-North Owls, she quickly established herself as one of the competition's premier front-rowers through her dominant set-piece work, powerful defence and tireless engine around the park. 

Naden was part of the inaugural Brumbies Super W squad in 2018, earning Brumbies cap #22 against the Queensland Reds and helping lay the foundations for the program's future success. Since then, she has become one of the competition's most reliable hookers, renowned for her accuracy at the lineout, physicality at scrum time and ability to find the try line from driving mauls. 

Her consistent performances earned national recognition, leading to her Wallaroos debut at the 2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, where she became Wallaroo #197 against Wales. Since then, she has continued to be a valued contributor in the gold jersey, bringing experience, composure and leadership whenever called upon. 

Away from rugby, Naden balances elite sport with a career as a Project Manager working with Defence. A graduate of the University of Canberra with degrees in Commerce and Arts, she enjoys travelling the world with her husband, playing golf and spending time at home with her dog. 

Inspired by Kobe Bryant's relentless pursuit of excellence, Tania approaches rugby with the same dedication to constant improvement. While a marathon may still be waiting on the bucket list after rugby, there is little doubt she has already completed one of the sport's toughest challenges; helping build women's rugby in Australia from the ground up. 

Heading into the 2026 season, Naden remains one of the Brumbies' most dependable leaders; rugby smart, immensely strong and always ready to put her hand up for the team.