Rugby League Veteran Harrison Hansen Joins French Club Pia Donkeys After Toulouse Departure
Two-time Super League champion Harrison Hansen has signed with French Elite Championship side Pia Donkeys following his exit from Toulouse Olympique. The veteran forward’s departure from Toulouse was confirmed earlier this week, just days after he celebrated his 39th birthday.
During his five-year stint at Stade Ernest-Wallon, Hansen made 90 appearances for Toulouse, with his last outing coming in October’s Championship Grand Final defeat against Wakefield Trinity. These games took the Wigan Warriors icon’s career tally to an impressive 501 senior appearances, making him just the 21st player to reach the 500-appearance milestone earlier this year.
“I go off how my body feels. Everyone says that when you finish, you’re retired for a long time, and my body is working fine.”
Including his 10 representative outings for Samoa, New Zealand, and The Exiles, Hansen’s overall career total stands at 511 games, during which he has scored 86 tries. The Auckland-born forward initially moved to Wigan as a youth and went on to win two Super League titles and two Challenge Cups with the Warriors.
After spells with Salford Red Devils, Leigh Centurions, and Widnes Vikings, Hansen made the switch to France, joining Toulouse in 2020. However, following his recent departure from the club, the 39-year-old has now linked up with Pia Donkeys for the remainder of the 2024/25 French Elite Championship season.
Pia currently sit sixth in the league table after three games, and Hansen will be hoping to use his wealth of experience to help the club’s push for success, with Hakim Miloudi and Ethan Natoli also joining the Donkeys from London Broncos.
Hansen revealed that he had been open to a coaching role at Toulouse, but the opportunity did not materialize, leading him to embrace the chance to join Pia and enjoy the French lifestyle.
🔗 Source
