New Junior Wallabies coach Nathan Grey has selected eight Brumbies players in his first squad of 2021.
Super Rugby contracted players Lachie Albert, Tom Hooper, Reesjan Pasitoa and Billy Pollard will be joined by Academy members Tony Alofipo, Patrick Maka, Zeph Tuinona and Junior Tupou in the squad.
Albert, Hooper, Pasitoa, Pollard and Tuinona were also part of the 2019 Australian Schools & U18s, who went undefeated in their tour of New Zealand in 2019.
19-year-old Pasitoa has already seen Super Rugby minutes, featuring in three matches for the side last year and was also part of the matchday 23 for the Brumbies opening round win against the Force last Friday night in Perth.
All eight have been part of the Brumbies Pathways and have continued their development with their club sides in the John I Dent Cup.
The squad will assemble on March 14 for a seven-day camp on the Gold Coast.
Brumbies Academy Head Coach, Dan Hooper said being part of the Junior Wallabies program will help the players development.
“To have eight players selected in the first Junior Wallabies squad for the year is a testament to the pathways coming out of ACT Rugby,” said Hooper.
“These young men have enormous potential and to spend time with the best of the best in the country will only help their development.
“There’s a long history of Super Rugby and Test players who have been part of the Junior Wallabies program and it’s a vital stepping stone for elite young talent to progress to professional rugby.”
Full 2021 Junior Wallabies Camp 1 Squad
Lachie Albert, Wests Lions, Brumbies
Tony Alofipo, Wests Lions, Brumbies
Reece Anapu, Palmyra, Western Force
George Blake, Bond University, Queensland Reds
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
Nick Chan, Randwick, NSW Waratahs
John Connolly, Easts, NSW Waratahs
Ben Dowling, Randwick, NSW Waratahs
Lopeti Faifua, Wests Bulldogs, Queensland Reds
Tim Faingaanuku, Brothers, Queensland Reds
Josh Flook, Brothers, Queensland Reds
Langi Gleeson, Manly Marlins, NSW Waratahs
Carter Gordon, Melbourne Rebels
Mason Gordon, Melbourne Rebels
Mac Grealy, University of Queensland, Queensland Reds
Tom Hooper, Tuggeranong Vikings, Brumbies
Ngalu Kavapalu, Endeavour Hills, Melbourne Rebels
Patrick Maka, Tuggeranong Vikings, Brumbies
Alex Masibaka, Associates, Western Force
Hamish Moore, Eastern Suburbs, NSW Waratahs
Titi Nofoagatotoa, Brothers, Queensland Reds
Zane Nongoor, Bond University, Queensland Reds
Reesjan Pasitoa, Wests Lions, Brumbies
Billy Pollard, Uni Norths Owls, Brumbies
Lukas Ripley, University of Queensland, Queensland Reds
Will Roach, University of Queensland, Queensland Reds
Hamish Roberts, Bond University, Queensland Reds
Andrew Romano, University of Queensland, Queensland Reds
Dion Samuela, Bond University, Queensland Reds
Connor Seve, Wests Scarborough, Western Force
Papillon Sevele, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs
Lolesio Sione, Melbourne Unicorns, Melbourne Rebels
Keynan Tauakipulu, Wests Bulldogs, Queensland Reds
Sione Taufui, Sydney University, NSW Waratahs
Tiaan Taukipulu, Randwick, NSW Waratahs
Kalani Thomas, University of Queensland, Queensland Reds
Zephaniah Tuinona, Queanbeyan Whites, Brumbies
Mosese Tuipulotu, Eastern Suburbs, NSW Waratahs
Junior Tupou, Uni Norths Owls, Brumbies
Glen Vaihu, Melbourne Rebels
Harry Vella, Brothers, Queensland Reds
Teddy Wilson, Eastern Suburbs, NSW Waratahs
Valance Yates, Randwick, NSW Waratahs