Australia U20s shuffle side for clash against Eddie Jones’ Japan U23s

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 U20s coach Chris Whitaker has made several changes to his side ahead of Saturday’s match against an Eddie Jones-coached Japan U23s in Coffs Harbour.

Queensland Reds flanker Tom Robinson skippers the side at openside flanker, the son of former Wallaby and World Rugby Chair Brett.

Catch Australia U20s v Fiji U23 from 7:00 pm AEST Saturday 11 April on NSW Rugby TV

He is joined in the starting side by fellow Queenslanders Kingsley Uys, John Grenfell and Kenneth Harris, who were all on the sidelines during their opening game win over Fiji U20s 55-21.

Uys is one of several graduating stars from the Australia U18s team that defeated New Zealand Secondary Schools in back-to-back years.

Meanwhile, Harris was called up late in the squad and partners the impressive Will Ross in the second row, with Ross coming off the bench in Wednesday’s win.

Robinson is paired with Toby Brial and Eli Langi, two returning standouts from last year’s U20s campaign, in which the Aussies finished fifth at the World Championships.

NSW scrum half Angus Grover starts in the halves alongside Finn Mackay, with centre Josh Takai called into the squad at inside centre.

Takai replaces the unavailable Frankie Goldsbrough, with Zach Fittler also ruled out of the game.

Further changes to the side see Taione Taka shift to the wing, with Cooper Watters named to start at fullback.

The bench sees a host of stars from the win over Fiji, including the skipper, Marshall Le Maitre.

The match is the final hit-out the team will have before they head to South Africa for the U20s Rugby Championship, opening their campaign against New Zealand on April 27.

It serves as a headliner of the Festival of Rugby, with the Fiji U20s team taking on the Australian Stockman earlier in the day.

Australia U20 team list v Japan U23:

1. Kingsley Uys

2. John Grenfell

3. Edwin Langi

4. Kenneth Harris

5. Will Ross

6. Eli Langi

7. Tom Robinson (c)

8. Toby Brial

9. Angus Grover

10. Finn Mackay

11. Riley Whitfield

12. Josh Takai

13. Leo Jaques

14. Taione Taka

15. Cooper Watters

Substitutes

Jacob Job

Harper Strachan

Tyler Maybery

Ewald Kruger

Jasper Asi

Jonah Rangiwai

Tavita Loughland

Isaac Fonua

Marshall Le Maitre

Cooper Eagle

Sam Blank

Jonty Fowler

Louis Fenwicke

Chayse Geros

Unavailable

Luca Cleverley

Frankie Goldsbrough

Zach Fittler

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