BRISBANE - Australia will be hoping to post the first century of the cup against Namibia today in the first rugby test at the Adelaide Oval.
Both teams have decided to field several second-string players, but there is a huge difference between a reserve for the world champions and a
backup for probably the weakest team in the tournament.
And with the reserves giving their all to impress coach Eddie Jones before the knockout stages, last week's 90-8 demolition of Romania could be overhauled.
Namibia, who lost their opening games 67-14 to Argentina and 64-7 to Ireland, will be hoping to avoid the previous record defeat, Japan's 145-17 loss to New Zealand in 1995.
Jones has retained only four of the players who started against Romania and has given a debut to prop Matt Dunning, with another uncapped player, backrower John Roe, on the bench.
Flanker David Croft and first five-eighth Matt Giteau will make their first appearances, while fullback Chris Latham and centre Nathan Grey will play their first matches of the tournament.
Halfback Chris Whitaker, who has spent most of his career waiting on the bench for George Gregan to mess up, not only gets a rare starting chance but will also captain the side, while Stirling Mortlock gets another chance to stake his claim at centre.
- REUTERS
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