Following the long-term absence of Olly ASHALL-BOTT (knee) and Reubenn RENNIE (ankle), and the return to Australia of Latrell SCHAUMKEL, Toulouse Olympique have decided to recruit full-back Zachary SANTO to strengthen its three-quarter back until the end of the season.
New recruit Zac SANTO already training with the Olympian squad © Alain MONTSEGUR
Trained at the highest level
Born in Townsville, Queensland, Australia, Zac SANTO discovered rugby league with the Townsville Brothers.
His career accelerated in 2011 when he joined the U20 team of the North Queensland Cowboys, a club involved in the NRL (the reference championship on the rugby league planet). He played in the U20 final, although won by the New Zealand Warriors, but will be voted best player in the squad for the same season. He continued his progress with the U20s before signing with the professional team for the 2014 season. He made his NRL debut against the St. George Illawarra Dragons then was loaned to the Townsville Blackhawks, engaged in the Queensland Cup (or the antechamber of the NRL).
In 2016, he joined the Canberra Raiders (NRL) then the New Zealand Warriors (NRL) in 2017 before returning to the Queensland Cup and the Townsville Blackhawks in 2018.
His career took on an international dimension in 2019 when he joined Maxime GRESEQUE’s Limoux squad.
A successful adaptation in France
Despite a first season in France disrupted by the Covid, Zac SANTO quickly shone upon the return to normal in 2020-21 within the Grizzlys of Limoux. He quickly became a centerpiece of the Limouxin game and was named best player of the season. The following season, L’Indépendant awarded him the title of Elite 1 player of the year.
In 2022, he reached the Elite 1 final against Carcassonne, but the Canaries won it. Same fixture in 2023, this time, Zac SANTO and his teammates were crowned French Champions a few weeks ago.
Now, the Australian fullback has given himself a new challenge by committing to the TO in an exciting new adventure: « I’m excited to join the squad, I’m good friends with Reuben and I know Dom pretty well and playing with the Toulouse boys at Limoux, they all have nothing but good things to say about the team so I’m excited for that. Also I’m grateful to get the opportunity to help promote the game of rugby league in France because there is so much talent over here and France has the best supporters and to win would be a nice sentiment.”
Profile information:
First name: Zachary – Last name: SANTO – Birthday: 08/04/1993 (30 yo) Height: 1m75 – Weight: 85Kg
Position: Full-back – Former clubs: North Queensland Cowboys (NRL), Canberra Raiders (NRL), Limoux (Elite 1).
