Two ACT Brumbies will trade Junior Wallabies camp for a shot at Super Rugby glory but a band of rising stars will still press their case for a call-up at a camp in Canberra next week.
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Six Brumbies products plying their trade in the John I Dent Cup will join the 45-man Junior Wallabies squad in Canberra from Monday on the road to the Oceania under 20s championship.
Super Rugby-contracted duo Lachie Albert (Wests) and Billy Pollard (Uni-Norths Owls), join Queanbeyan trio Tony Alofipo, Zeph Tuinona, and Junior Tupou, and Tuggeranong's Patrick Maka in the fold.
Reesjan Pasitoa and Tom Hooper were unavailable for the camp with the pair likely to join the Brumbies for a trip to New Zealand for round one of the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition against the Crusaders.
First Pasitoa will come off the bench for the Brumbies in the Super Rugby AU final against the Queensland Reds at Lang Park in Brisbane on Saturday.
MORE RUGBY UNION
"As a club we're really pleased for those who have been selected in the training squad," Brumbies academy coach Dan Hooper said.
"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."
The Oceania championship is scheduled for July, with Albert and Tuinona pushing for selection after being a part of Australian Schoolboys side which went undefeated on a tour of New Zealand in 2019.
"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," Junior Wallabies coach Nathan Grey said.
"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."
Caden Helmers
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
Caden Helmers is a sports writer for The Canberra Times.
