Langi captain, Fittler starts as Australia U20 makes mass changes for Fiji clash

Tue, Jun 30, 2026, 8:00 AM
Nathan Williamson
by Nathan Williamson
The Australian Under 20's team take on Fiji Under 20's at Verge Street Oval, Kempsey as part of the Coffs Coast Festival of Rugby.

Australia U20 coach Chris Whitaker has made 10 changes to the team that thumped Spain ahead of their next fixture against Fiji on Thursday (AEST).

Brumbies back-rower Eli Langi captains the team, with Zach Fittler and Lehopoame Leota amongst those elevated into the starting side.

Watch every second of the Junior World Championship live and on demand via Stan Sport.

Langi takes over the duties for the rested Tom Robinson, with Marshall Le Maitre slotting into his spot at openside flanker.

Isaac Fonua and Toby Brial have been elevated to start, with Brial named in the second-row alongside William Ross.

Leota, who debuted off the bench after arriving from Racing 92, comes into the starting side for Edwin Langi, with the two swapping places.

In the backs, Fittler slots into outside side after his late elevation onto the bench last week for the ill Tom Farr-Jones.

Farr-Jones re-takes his spot on the wing, with Wallace Charlie moving to fullback, as Sam Blank partners Finn Mackay in the halves.

It comes after a tournament-ending ankle injury to Chayse Geros, with the young Brumby set to fly home for surgery in the coming days.

Winger Riley Whitfeld takes his place, set to join the group in Georgia shortly.

On the bench, John Grenfell and Matthew Sauao make their tournament debuts, taking the place of Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe, dealing with shoulder soreness.

The Aussies are fresh off their biggest ever victory in Junior World Championship history following a 90-22 win over Spain.

Both sides faced off earlier this year in April, Australia taking the 55-21 win in Coffs Harbour.

“We were pleased with the performance in our first match against Spain, but our aim is to continue to get better as we progress through the tournament," Australia U20 Head Coach Chris Whitaker said.

“We know Fiji will pose a tough challenge and being able to rotate through the squad gives us some fresh legs which we believe will help.

“We’re looking forward to another opportunity on Thursday to show who we are as a team.”

Australia U20 team list v Fiji U20

Thursday 2nd July at AIA Arena, Kutaisi (21:30 AEST)

1 Jacob Job

2. Ewald Kruger

3. Lehopoame Leota

4. William Ross

5. Toby Brial

6. Eli Langi (c)

7. Marshall Le Maitre

8. Isaac Fonua

9. Sam Blank

10. Finn Mackay

11. Taione Taka

12. Treyvon Pritchard

13. Zach Fittler

14. Tom Farr-Jones

15. Wallace Charlie

Substitutes

16. John Grenfell

17. Matthew Sauao

18. Edwin Langi

19. Kenneth Harris

20. TJ Talaileva

21. Angus Grover

22. Jonty Fowler

23. Charlie Bird

Unavailable for Selection

Leo Jaques - Hamstring

Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe - AC joint sorness

Chayse Geros - Ankle/tournament

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