Namibia will be no walkover, Romanian coach

Romania coach Bernard Charryere expects a tough challenge from Namibia when they clash in Launceston on Thursday with both still in search of their first points at the Rugby World Cup.

The two teams have leaked more than 450 points between them in their three games to date, but Charryere is in no doubt there is still plenty at stake.

He declared: “The Namibians have already said that the only match they were lookig to win is the one against Romania, so will put all their strength into Thursday’s game.

“We have to play well collectively, win all the phases and actions of the game. It is our goal to play well as a team.”

Charryere has named Petru Balan and Marcel Socaciu, his two first-choice props, after both overcame injuries and were declared fully fit.

Balan missed the match against Australia with an ankle problem, while Socaciu has been battling a back complaint.

The groin strain Lucian Sirbu picked up in training has failed to stop him from starting at scrum-half in Launceston.

Danut Dumbrava has also recovered from injury and will take his place at full-back.

Namibia are in a similar situation to Romania, coming into the match without a victory and with their 142-0 humiliation at the hands of Australia still fresh in their memories.

Coach Dave Waterston claimed after the drubbing in Adelaide that he was looking forward to the more manageable challenge of facing Romania.

“We believe that the pace of the game will be so much slower,” said Waterston.

“We’ll have more time on the ball, we’ll have more options and we’ll be able to play at our pace, as opposed to being run ragged.”

Waterston is without scrum-half Hakkies Husselman, who picked up a shoulder injury against Australia, so Neil Swanepoel will don the number nine jersey.

The two sides have never met before, and their inaugural encounter will also be the first ever Test to be played at Launceston’s 19,891-capacity York Park, which has traditionally been an Aussie Rules stadium.