The first Junior Wallabies squad of 2022 was announced earlier this week with 20 players returning from last year’s disrupted campaign.

The Junior Wallabies will meet for three camps in the early parts of 2022 ahead of a planned Oceania Championships tournament in July.

Kalani Thomas – UQ/Reds

UQ scrumhalf Kalani Thomas arguably won his side the 2021 Hospital Cup premiership with a brilliant solo try in the dying stages of the Premier Rugby semi final against Brothers.

The nippy No.9 has proven he can match it with the big boys, earning one cap for the Reds last year, and will thrive back in age-group rugby.

Clem Halaholo – NSW Waratahs

One half of Waverley’s giant lock pairing from 2021, both Halaholo and Tahs teammate Fritz Jahnke-Tavana have the size and power of a young Will Skelton.

Both are still fresh out of school but would have benefitted from a tough summer training at Daceyville.

Zac Hough – Melbourne Rebels

Flanker Zac Hough was arguably the best played in the QLD GPS competition last year and was swiftly signed by the Rebels while still at school at BBC.

After a big summer in the gym in Melbourne, it will be interesting to see what the hard as nails No.7 can produce in 2022.

Mac Grealy – UQ/QLD Reds

Another schoolboy star who transitioned with ease into open-age rugby last year in his first year our of school. Grealy has serious wheels and plenty of x-factor, which has earnt him two Super Rugby caps already.

Paddy Tagg – Sydney Uni/NSW Waratahs

Former Cranbrook frontrower Paddy Tagg has impressed everyone he’s come across in his two years at Sydney Uni.

The prop, who can also play hooker, recently broke the Waratahs squat record at the age of 19.