Queensland development coach Jason Gilmore has been unveiled as the Junior Wallabies coach, amid a rejig of the program for 2018
Formerly the Australia U20s, the side has been re-named the Junior Wallabies, and will begin their preparation for the World Cup this month, a move away from the time restrictions the side has struggled with in the past.
Gilmore comes into the setup, replacing Simon Cron who has moved to a contact coach role with NSW, after stints as Queensland U20s coach and in Queensland Premier Rugby and the NRC with Queensland Country.
Rugby Australia head of high performance Ben Whitaker said Gilmore would bring his rugby intelligence
“We’re really excited to have Jason take over the reins of the Junior Wallabies," he said.
“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 young players in this initial national squad and we’re looking forward to seeing them come together over the next few months.”
Gilmore has named an initial squad of 53 players, who will come together in a Canberra camp this week.
“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," he said.
“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 Championship and our work starts now to build a group of men capable of delivering."
This week's camp will be the first of four ahead of the 2018 Oceania Championships, in April, where Australia takes on New Zealand, Samoa and Fiji.
Overnight, France was announced as the World U20s host for the 2018 World Championship, kicking off on May 30, with Australia drawn in a tricky pool, alongside New Zealand, Japan and Wales.
The tournament will be held in the cities of Béziers, Perpignan and Narbonne, the announcement coming less than a month after France’s shock win of the 2023 Rugby World Cup bid.
SQUAD
Junior Wallabies 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
POOLS
2018 U20s World Championship
Pool A
New Zealand, Australia, Wales and Japan
Pool B
England, Scotland, Italy and Argentina
Pool C
South Africa, France, Ireland and Georgia
