Three Melbourne Rebels squad members and two Academy players have been included in the Junior Wallabies’ 45-man Canberra Camp squad.
Super Rugby listed players Trevor Hosea, Esei Ha’angana and Semisi Tupou, along with Rebels Academy products Navarre Haisila and Sione Tui are vying to represent Australia at the Under 20’s Oceania Championships in April and the World Championships in June.
It’s the second consecutive year that Hosea, Ha’angana and Tupou have been selected in the squad, while this will be the first selection for 20-year-old Tui and 21-year-old Haisila.
Melbourne Rebels General Manager of Professional Rugby and Pathways Nick Ryan is thrilled with three of the youngest players in the Rebels’ list being named in the Junior Wallabies squad.
Ryan believes the selections ratify the world class rugby program that has been created at the Rebels and the announcement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the players.
“Esei, Trevor and Semisi all deserve this opportunity as they all have worked hard to improve themselves since playing in last year’s world champs,” Ryan said.
“It’s also really pleasing to see two of our younger Academy boys in Navarra (Haisila) and Sione (Tui) selected as well, after both players participated in our 2019 preseason program.
“I’m pleased for all of these players who have been selected and it’s great to see our commitment to providing a professional rugby program for our athletes is being confirmed with the announcements."
Melbourne Rebels Set Piece Coach and Rugby Victoria Head of Academies Nic Henderson says the selection of Victorian home-grown players in Haisila and Tui shows how strong the local pathway system in the state is.
“It’s phenomenal to have Navarra and Sione selected in the squad,” Henderson said.
“Both boys are extremely talented and will represent the state proud if they get the chance to play for the Junior Wallabies side.
“Their selections continue to show other Victorian Rugby players that there is a strong and clear pathway to national representation through hard work.”
Junior Wallabies Canberra Camp Training Squad
Bo Abra, NSW Oliver Barden, NSW
Angus Bell, NSW
Darcy Breen, NSW
Oliver Callan, Western Australia
Will Chaffey, Queensland
Liam Cornish, NSW
Joe Cotton, Queensland
Will Deardon, Queensland
Ethan Dobbins, Queensland
Ben Donaldson, NSW
Max Douglas, NSW
Max Dowd, Queensland
Will Goddard, ACT
Esei Ha’angana, Victoria
Navarre Haisila, Victoria
Brooklyn Hardaker, NSW
Jack Hardy, Queensland
Will Harris, NSW
Will Harrison, NSW
Isaac Henry, Queensland
Trevor Hosea, Victoria
Kristian Jensen, NSW
Nathan Lawson, NSW
Noah Lolesio, ACT
Lachlan Lonergan, ACT
Brody Macaskill, Western Australia
Michael McDonald, Western Australia
Fraser McReight, Queensland
Josh Nasser, Queensland
Mark Nawaqanitawase, NSW
Kye Oates, Queensland
Lachlan Osborne, ACT
Ben Paxton-Hall, Queensland
Byron Ralston, Queensland
Triston Reilly, AU7s
Henry Robertson, NSW
Egan Siggs, Queensland
Seamus Smith, ACT
Tristan Stanghon, Queensland
Pat Tafa, NSW
Sione Tui, Victoria
Liam Usher, Queensland
Rhys Van Nek, Queensland
Jack Walsh, NSW
Joey Walton, NSW
Harry Wilson, Queensland
Michael Wood, Queensland
Finn Wright, NSW
