Six Brumbies have been selected in the latest 2021 Junior Wallabies squad as they prepare for the upcoming Oceania U20s Championships.
Super Rugby contracted duo Lachie Albert (Wests) and Billy Pollard (Uni-Norths Owls), will be joined by Academy members Tony Alofipo (Queanbeyan Whites), Patrick Maka (Tuggeranong Vikings), Zeph Tuinona (Queanbeyan Whites) and Junior Tupou (Queanbeyan Whites) as the representatives from Canberra.
It could have been eight Brumbies in the squad with fellow contracted players Tom Hooper and Reesjan Pasitoa unavailable for the camp due to their commitments for the upcoming Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition. All eight Brumbies were selected in the first Junior Wallabies squad picked back in February.
The six selected players have all been playing regular minutes in the first three rounds of the Callida Consulting John I Dent Cup, with Albert’s Wests undefeated so far in 2021.
Albert and Tuinona were also part of the 2019 Australian Schools & U18s, who went undefeated in their tour of New Zealand in 2019.
The wider Junior Wallabies group will assemble in Canberra next week as they continue to prepare for the Oceania U20s Championship, scheduled for July.
Brumbies Academy Head Coach, Dan Hooper said the club as pleased to have so many players selected from their pathway system. “As a club we’re really pleased for those who have been selected in the training squad,” said Hooper.
“At the same time we’re also delighted to have players who are still eligible for selection but already required at Super Rugby level with the main squad.
“All of those guys have spent time within our pathway system and also playing in the John I Dent Cup which continues to help develop and produce Brumbies and Junior Wallabies.”
Junior Wallabies coach Nahan Grey said it’s pleasing watching the young players perform for their clubs.
“It’s always good to get the squad together and compete for positions. The camp provides continued time to work on our gameplay and connection to each other,” said Grey.
“It has been great watching the players in their respective Grade and Colts competitions and seeing them perform on the field. The strong club competitions provide that arena for growth and development.
“As a program, we’re excited for our squad members who have been elevated to their Super Rugby squads. That creates an open door for another player to step in and put their best foot forward.”
2021 Junior Wallabies Camp Two Squad
Lachie Albert, Wests, Brumbies
Tony Alofipo, Queanbeyan Whites, Brumbies
Siosifa Amone*, Associates, Western Force
Reece Anapu, Palmyra Rugby, Western Force
Lastus Aukai*, Brothers, Queensland Reds
Zac Barnabas*, Manly, NSW Waratahs
Wilson Blyth, Bond University, Queensland Reds
Hugh Bokenham, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs
Dan Botha, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs
Adrian Brown, Eastwood, NSW Waratahs
Josh Canham, Harlequins, Melbourne Rebels
Luke Callan*, Wanneroo, Western Force
Nick Chan, Randwick, NSW Waratahs
Zac Crothers, Easts, Queensland Reds
Ben Dowling, Randwick, NSW Waratahs
Timma Faingaanuku, Brothers, Queensland Reds
Mason Gordon, Wests, Melbourne Rebels
Mac Grealy, University of Queensland, Reds
Patrick Maka, Tuggeranong Vikings, Brumbies
Thomas Maka, Gordon, NSW Waratahs
Alex Masibaka, Associates, Western Force
Hamish Moore, Easts, NSW Waratahs
Titi Nofoagatotoa, Brothers, Queensland Reds
Dan O’Brien, Randwick, NSW Waratahs
Irie Papuni*, Easts, NSW Waratahs
Billy Pollard, Uni Norths Owls, Brumbies
George Poolman*, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs
Will Roach, University of Queensland, Reds
Andrew Romano, Souths, Queensland Reds
Witika Rees-Hatu*, Gordon, NSW Waratahs
Dion Samuela, Bond University, Queensland Reds
Connor Seve, Wests Scarborough, Western Force
Papillon Sevele, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs
Paddy Tagg*, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs
Keynan Tauakipulum, Wests, Queensland Reds
Sione Taufui, Sydney Uni, NSW Waratahs
Tiaan Tauakipulu, Randwick, NSW Waratahs
Taliu Tuia, Unicorns*, Melbourne Rebels
Zephaniah Tuinona, Queanbeyan Whites, Brumbies
Mosese Tuipulotu, Easts, NSW Waratahs
Junior Tupou, Queanbeyan Whites, Brumbies
Glen Vaihu, Melbourne Rebels
Harry Vella, Brothers, Queensland Reds
Louis Werchon*, Brothers, Queensland Reds
Tyrees Wilson*, Easts, Queensland Reds
Teddy Wilson, Easts, NSW Waratahs
*Denotes new squad member. Squad list from wallabies.rugby.
The Brumbies play the Reds in the Super Rugby AU Grand Final at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday 8 May. Click here for tickets.
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