The Junior Wallabies will be led by St.George Queensland Reds Elite Youth Development head coach Jason Gilmore.
Gilmore has more than a decade of coaching experience in various roles within the Queensland pathway and has had success with the Queensland Reds U20s, winning the inaugural Super U20s title in 2016.
Gilmore has also previously been an assistant coach for the Junior Wallabies, has coached Souths to the Queensland Premier Rugby Final and led Anglican Church Grammar School to an undefeated GPS title in 2014.
The National squad 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.
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 – Bond University, Gold Coast
Darcy Breen, NSW
Nick Brown, NSW
Will Dearden, QLD – Warwick
Sean Farrell, QLD – University of Queensland, Sunshine Coast
George Francis, NSW
Lloyd Gorman, QLD – Sunnybank
Ben Grant, NSW
Esei Ha'angana, VIC
Charlie Hancock, ACT
Harry Hockings, QLD – University of Queensland, Bowen
Harry Hoopert, QLD – Brothers, Dalby
Trevor Hosea, VIC
Josh Kemeny, NSW
Tom Kibble, QLD – GPS
Efi Ma'afu, QLD – Wests
Sama Malolo, NSW
Hugh Margin, NSW
Fraser McReight, QLD – Brothers, Sunshine Coast
Tipene Mavoa QLD – Bond University, Gold Coast
Josh Nasser, QLD – University of Queensland
Dylan Pietsch, AUST 7S
Tom Ross, ACT
Justin Sikimeti, ACT
Rory Sutor, NSW
Lawrence Tominiko, QLD – Sunnybank
Rob Valetini, ACT
Pat Tafa, QLD – Sunnybank
BACKS
Ben Donaldson, NSW
Will Eadie, QLD – University of Queensland
Tom Fuller, NSW
Harrison Goddard, VIC
Mack Hansen, ACT
Cooper Harris, NSW
Will Harrison, NSW
Tony Hunt, QLD – University of Queensland
Len Ikitau, ACT
Yirribi Jaffer-Williams, NSW
Bayley Kuenzle, NSW
Isiah Latu, ACTRyan Lonergan, ACT
Isaac Lucas, QLD – Sunnybank
Tate McDermott, QLD – University of Queensland, Sunshine Coast
Matt McTaggart, NSW
Jackson Mohi, NSW
Jordan Morris, NSW
Luke Osborne, NSW
Jordan Petaia, QLD – Wests
James Ramm, NSW
Hamish Stewart, QLD – Bond University, Toowomba
Will Terry, NSW
Semisi Tupou, VIC
Nick Wilkinson, NSW
