Balan - fit to play (Getty Images).

By Gareth Duggan, PA International, Canberra

Click here for Namibia team section
Click here for Romania team section

Credibility and pride will be at stake when World Cup Pool A whipping boys Romania and Namibia face each other in the Tasmanian town of Launceston on Thursday.

Romania coach Bernard Charreyre believes is team must win the match in order to regain some pride after their 91-8 thrashing by Australia and a 50-3 defeat by Argentina.

"This game is extremely important for the Romanian team because we started very well against Ireland, even though we lost, and after that we had very difficult games against Australia and Argentina," said Charreyre.

"They were big losses for us, both physically and mentally, so we need a win. The players are very proud and motivated as members of the national team.

"The problem is that we don't have a high standard for the players (in Romania), but mentally I cannot fault them at all."

Charreyre has named first-choice props Petru Balan and Marcel Socaciu together after both overcame injuries and were declared fully fit.

Full-back Danut Dumbrava has also recovered from injury and will take his place as Romania's last line of defence.

Scrum-half Lucian Sirbu will start in the number nine jersey despite a groin strain suffered during training in Launceston at the weekend.

Namibia are in a similar situation to Romania, coming into the match without a victory and with their 142-0 humiliation against Australian in Adelaide still fresh in their memories.

Coach Dave Waterston has brought Neil Swanepoel into scrum-half to replace the injured Hakkies Husselman, who suffered a shoulder injury against Australia.

Romania have never played Namibia before, and the encounter will be the first ever Test match held at York Park.