Tom Farr-Jones set for Junior World Championship debut after illness ruled him out against Spain

Tom Farr-Jones is in line to make his Junior World Championship debut when Australia face Fiji in Kutaisi on Thursday, after illness forced the Waratahs winger to withdraw from the squad’s opening match at the last minute.

Farr-Jones, 20, had only recently returned from finger surgery when he was named in the Junior Wallabies’ squad for Georgia, making his late withdrawal from the record 90-22 victory over Spain all the more frustrating. He comes into one of 10 changes to the side that produced Australia’s highest-ever score at the tournament.

The nephew of 1991 World Cup-winning captain Nick Farr-Jones is not the only notable name in the starting XV. Zach Fittler, son of rugby league legend Brad Fittler, retains his place in the midfield after stepping up from the bench against Spain and scoring two tries. Eli Langi captains the side from blindside flanker.

Junior Wallabies head coach Chris Whitaker, a former international scrum-half, acknowledged the step up in difficulty from the Spain fixture. “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,” he 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.”

Elsewhere in the tournament, defending champions South Africa signalled their intent to retain the title with a commanding 104-7 opening win over Uruguay.

Australia U20 team v Fiji 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

Replacements: 16. John Grenfell 17. Matthew Sauao 18. Edwin Langi 19. Kenneth Harris 20. TJ Talaileva 21. Angus Grover 22. Jonty Fowler 23. Charlie Bird