Namibia's players stretch during a training session. Photo / Reuters
PARIS - Namibia coach Hakkies Husselman today made 10 changes to the side beaten 87-10 by France for their next rugby World Cup pool D match against Argentina at Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Sunday (NZT).
Skipper Kees Lensing, who is injured, is one of the players left
out as the African side targets a morale-boosting win over Georgia in their final group game in Lens on September 26.
"I think we really need to rest some players. We can't play at this level three times in a row, especially with matches so close together," said Husselman.
"The fullback (Heini Bock) and both wings (Deon Mouton and Melrick Africa) play together in Namibia, so should know each other well. We think it is a combination that should work."
Centre Corne Powell takes over the captaincy from Lensing.
"Kees is not fully recovered from a toe injury so he needed a bit more of a rest," said the coach.
"Both centres have been used before, Corne and Du Preez Grobler have played lots of games as the centre pairing."
Husselman admitted that he had one eye on the wooden-spoon game against Georgia.
"We know the Georgia game is important for us and them as well. The reality is that if we don't rest players, they will not be ready for all four games.
"We will try to beat Argentina but they are a professional team, a tier two nation and many of their players play in France.
"We want to win it, but taking all things into consideration we hope to play good rugby and put on a showpiece for the World Cup."
Namibia (15-1):
Heini Bock, Deon Mouton, Du Preez Grobler, Corne Powell (capt), Melrick Africa, Tertius Losper, Eugene Jantjies, Tinus du Plessis, Jacques Burger, Michael MacKenzie, Nico Esterhuize, Wacca Kazombiaze, Marius Visser, Johannes Meyer, Johnny Redelinghuys. Res: Hugo Horn, Kees Lensing, Herman Lindvelt, Heino Senekal, Jurie van Tonder, Morne Schreuder, Piet van Zyl
- AFP
