Eight ACT players have been named in a National squad that will assemble at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra on Wednesday December 6 until Sunday December 10 as they commence their 2018 campaign.
The re-branded Junior Wallabies outfit will have four National Camps heading into the Oceania Rugby U20s Championship on the Gold Coast in April next year, preparing for the 2018 World Rugby U20s Championship.
The Junior Wallabies will be led by former Queensland Reds Assistant Coach, Jason Gilmore who takes over the reins from Simon Cron heading into Australia’s first National camp this week.
Gilmore will balance his Junior Wallabies role with his role as Queensland Reds Elite Youth Development Head Coach.
Rugby Australia General Manager, High Performance Ben Whitaker said: “We’re really excited to have Jason take over the reins of the Junior Wallabies as Head Coach.
“He has a really smart Rugby brain and a real passion for developing young players and this role will also enhance his abilities as an Australian Coach coming through the pathway.
“Jason has been a key part of Rugby Australia’s and the Queensland Reds Coaching programs and he comes into this role really energized for what is a big year for the Junior Wallabies program.“There are plenty of talented in young players in this initial national squad and we’re looking forward to seeing them come together over the next few months.”
Junior Wallabies Head Coach, Jason Gilmore said: “I’m really honoured to be taking over the role of the Junior Wallabies Head Coach and I am looking forward to getting into training with the lads and my coaching staff this week.“The U20s is an integral part of the Pathway to Gold and in building talented players for Super Rugby, Aussie Sevens and for the Wallabies.
“We will work extremely hard to build a squad that has high performance success at the Oceania Rugby U20s and World Rugby U20s Championships and our work starts now to build a group of men capable of delivering.”
The Junior Wallabies have New Zealand, Wales and Japan in Pool A at the World Rugby U20s Championship.
The Junior Wallabies 2017 Extended Squad
FORWARDS
Angus Blyth, QLD
Darcy Breen, NSW
Nick Brown, NSW
Will Dearden, QLD
Sean Farrell, QLD
George Francis, NSW
Lloyd Gorman, QLD
Ben Grant, NSW
Esei Ha’angana, VIC
Charlie Hancock, ACT
Harry Hockings, QLD
Harry Hoopert, QLD
Trevor Hosea, VIC
Josh Kemeny, NSW
Tom Kibble, QLD
Efi Ma’afu, QLD
Sama Malolo, NSW
Hugh Margin, NSW
Fraser McReight, QLD
Tipane Mavoa QLD
Josh Nasser, QLD
Dylan Pietsch, AUST 7S
Tom Ross, ACT
Justin Sikimeti, ACT
Rory Sutor, NSW
Lawrence Tominiko, QLD
Rob Valetini, ACT
Pat Tafa, NSW
BACKS
Ben Donaldson, NSW
Will Eadie, QLD
Tom Fuller, NSW
Harrison Goddard, VIC
Mack Hansen, ACT
Cooper Harris, NSW
Will Harrison, NSW
Tony Hunt, QLD
Len Ikitau, ACT
Yirribi Jaffer-Williams, NSW
Bayley Kuenzle, NSW
Isiah Latu, ACT
Ryan Lonergan, ACT
Isaac Lucas, QLD
Tate McDermott, QLD
Matt McTaggart, NSW
Jackson Mohi, NSW
Jordan Morris, NSW
Luke Osborne, NSW
Jordan Petaia, QLD
James Ramm, NSW
Hamish Stewart, QLD
Will Terry, NSW
Semisi Tupou, VIC
Nick Wilkinson, NSW
