Mason Gordon and Louis Werchon selected in junior Wallabies squad

Junior Wallabies stars Mason Gordon and Louis Werchon are proving there’s no need for talented Sunshine Coast rugby union youngsters to move away for elite opportunities.

Sunshine Coast duo Mason Gordon and Louis Werchon have taken another step towards their professional rugby union dream after being selected in the junior Wallabies squad.

The former Sunshine Coast Grammar School stars will fly to Canberra on February 20 as they prepare for the annual Oceania U20s Championship that will take place in early July this year.

Werchon said it’s another reason why the development for players on the Sunshine Coast is just as good as Brisbane.

“It shows these juniors that are playing rugby union on the Sunshine Coast that they don’t have to move to Brisbane to get these opportunities,” he said.

“If you’re good enough you’ll make it and that’s being shown through these pathways.”

Melbourne Rebels breakout star Carter Gordon and Wallabies player Tate McDermott also played rugby union for Sunshine Coast Grammar and the junior Wallabies.

Gordon, whose older brother Carter debuted for the Melbourne Rebels last season, said it’s great knowing players from the Sunshine Coast were exceeding at the elite level.

“There’s plenty of Sunshine Coast players at those high levels now and I think the Coast is only getting better in terms of development and pathways,” he said.

“It’s clear to see the rewards through the likes of Carter and through Tate (McDermott) who has played for Australia and is now co-captain of the Queensland Reds.”

After both players were selected in the squad last year, Werchon, 19, said he was looking forward to taking that next step in his rugby career.

“The goal this time is to play in the team and that extra bit of confidence from being in the squad last year is huge,” he said.

Gordon, who signed with the Melbourne Rebels in 2021, said he was looking forward to returning to the camp with the experience under his belt.

“It was a good experience last year for me as a young fella to learn and just get as much as I could out of the coaches,” he said.

“This year it’s a bit more professional in terms of what I want to achieve and it’s good to be able to battle it out against Australia’s best 20-year-olds.”

The pair both agreed it would be great catching up with each other once again.

“Louis and I have been best mates since prep so whenever I’m back in home we pretty much just live in each other’s pockets,” Gordon said.

Both players played alongside each other at Grammar as a lethal halfback and fly-half duo.

“It’ll be really nice to bring back that nine and 10 combination,” Werchon said.

“I know how he plays and he knows how I play so I think it will help a lot and it will be good fun.”

Mason Gordon poses during the Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby 2022 headshots session at AAMI Park on February 07, 2022. Picture: Martin Keep/Getty Images for ARU

Gordon, 18, said he learnt a lot from his first year at the elite Super Rugby level.

“Last year was more so developing and adapting to that professional program but this year it’s a lot more full on being in the core training squad,” he said.

“I’m constantly picking the brains of Reece Hodge, Matt To’omua and those world class players and I’m just waiting patiently for any opportunity.”