ACT Brumbies back-rower Eli Langi has been handed the Junior Wallabies captaincy for Thursday's World Rugby U20 Championship clash with Fiji on Thursday morning (AEST), while fellow Brumby hooker Ewald Kruger has retained his place in the starting side.
Australia U20 head coach Chris Whitaker has made 10 changes to the side that defeated Spain as the team looks to maintain its unbeaten start to the World Rugby U20 Championship.
With matches every five days throughout the tournament, Whitaker has opted to rotate his squad for the Pool A clash.
Langi will lead the side from the back row, with the Brumbies representative joined in the loose forwards by Marshall Le Maitre and Isaac Fonua.
Kruger continues his strong tournament after earning another start at hooker, lining up alongside Jacob Job and Lehopoame Leota, who will make his first start after debuting off the bench against Spain.
In the second row, William Ross retains his place and is joined by Toby Brial, with Kenneth Harris shifting to the bench.
Finn Mackay keeps his spot at flyhalf and will partner Sam Blank, who comes into the starting side at scrumhalf in place of Angus Grover.
In the backs, Zach Fittler has been rewarded for his two-try performance off the bench against Spain with a start in the midfield alongside Treyvon Pritchard. Taione Taka shifts from centre to the wing, opposite Tom Farr-Jones, who returns after recovering from illness.
Wallace Charlie moves to fullback following a tournament-ending injury to Chayse Geros.
ACT Brumbies winger Riley Whitfeld has been called into the Australia U20 squad as Geros' replacement but is unavailable for selection for Thursday's match.
Hooker John Grenfell and prop Matthew Sauao are in line to make their World Rugby U20 Championship debuts from the bench, while back-rower TJ Talaileva, who scored twice against Spain, is again set to provide impact alongside Jonty Fowler and Charlie Bird among the replacements.
Match Details: Australia U20 v Fiji U20 at AIA Arena, Kutaisi on Thursday 2 July at 9:30pm (AEST). Every match at the 2026 World Rugby Junior World Championship will be streamed live on Stan Sport Australia U20 team list v Spain U20: 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 - Injured Kingbenjamin Swerling-Finaipepe - Injured
