Namibia will take on Romania in the battle of the Pool A basement teams at York Park in Launceston, Tasmania, on Thursday, 30 October.
Namibia and Romania, who were always going to find it tough in a Pool including defending champions Australia, third ranked Ireland and an ever improving Argentina, will be looking to finish the Tournament on a high before heading home.
Form guide
Romania goes into this match as favourites after their spirited performance against Ireland in their opening match, going down 45-17.
The Eastern Europeans are ahead on the official IRB world rankings at 13th to Namibia’s 25th place, but will be without prop Petrisor Toderasc who scored a pushover try against Australia, their first ever five pointer in three Rugby World Cup meetings with the Wallabies.
Namibia will expect to face no weakness up front though with Petru Balan, one of the French Premier Divisions best props, coming into the starting line up.
With both Ireland and Australia racking up point scoring records against Namibia, the Welwitschias will be looking to restore lost pride before returning home.
Romania has three Rugby World Cup wins to their name from 15 starts while Namibia, who debuted at the 1999 Tournament, are yet to record a victory in six RWC matches to date.
Previous meetings
This is the first Test match between Namibia and Romania.
Ins and Outs
Romania has made five changes to the side beaten 50-3 by Argentina in their last start.
Injured props Balan and Marcel Socaciu return to the starting line up, replacing Todersac and Silviu Florea who move to the bench. Second row Augustin Petrichei is the other new member of the pack.
In the backs, Gabriel Brezoianu moves from full back to the wing to replace Mihai Vioreanu, while Danut Dumbrava will wear the No. 15 jersey.
Namibia have made six alterations to the side that suffered a 142–0 defeat - the biggest winning margin in RWC history - by Australia last weekend.
The entire back row will revert to the full strength contingent fielded against Ireland with captain Sean Furter at number 8, lion tamer Schalk van der Merwe at blindside flanker and Wolfie Duvenhage on the open flank.
The only other forward change for the Africans is at hooker with Johannes Meyer moving to the starting line up, replacing Cor van Tonder who drops to the bench.
In the back line, scrum half Neil Swanepoel will start in place of Hakkies Husselman, the captain for the Wallaby, whilst the only other change comes with Vincent Dreyer brought in on the wing.
Key players
Ionut Tofan has shown signs of creativity with the ball for Romania to give his backs space, but it has been the power in the Romanian pack that has surprised many at this RWC.
Romania’s forwards have shown great fighting spirit, achieving something few teams have, forcing the Argentinian pack back and winning a tight head scrum against the respected Pumas.
Props Balan and Socaciu will look to lead the way for their side after both overcoming injury concerns.
Whilst Namibia’s forward pack has been outclassed in their first three matches, they have managed to string some good phases together in patches and were always keen to take on the defence with flanker van der Merwe one of their most consistent players.
What it means
Both sides, still searching for their first win of the Tournament, would have targeted this game for a win to finish on a good note.
What they said
Namibia coach David Waterston on facing Romania after the Australia loss:
"We've got a lot of bandaging to do after the Aussie game. We're picking it up from there and we're taking it to the Romania game. We've got to pick up the intensity, the pace, and all the other things and we'll do that.
"We know what we've got to do to beat Romania. We've looked at their weaknesses and we'll plan with that. We've been to school on Romania."
Romanian coach Bernard Charreyre on his team's assets:
"Romania is trying hard to enter the top levels of international rugby. It's hard to for us because we are playing in a difficult Pool with the best teams in the world, especially Australia, the world champion team."
On Romania being favourites for the match against Namibia:
"Romania and Namibia are on the same level in international rugby so the best prepared team on Thursday will win the game."
Romania captain Romeo Gontineac on his team's determination to claim a fourth RWC victory:
"It would be very good for us to have a victory from this World Cup, especially because the people of Romania are watching us and because this last game will be against a team at the same level as us."
Match details
Namibia v Romania
York Park, Launceston
Kick off: 20:00 local time
Match Officials
Referee: Peter Marshall
Touch judges: Joel Jutge and Mark Lawrence
Television Match Official: Nigel Whitehouse