Veteran Waugh loses out to Smith AUSTRALIA:Wallaby vice-captain Phil Waugh has been omitted from the squad to play Japan in their opening match at Lyon on Saturday.
Australia coach John Connolly said he could not find a place for Waugh in his 22-man squad after choosing George Smith as the starting openside flanker.
Connolly said he had picked 21-year-old uncapped utility back Berrick Barnes on his replacements bench because of his extra versatility.
"We thought it gave us the best balance this week and it's a wonderful opportunity for Berrick to get a taste of test rugby," Connolly said.
Chris Latham was picked to start his first match this year after missing most of the season following knee surgery. He made his return as a substitute against New Zealand in July but was always considered an automatic selection once fit.
AUSTRALIA (v Japan, Lyon, Saturday): C Latham; A Ashley-Cooper, S Mortlock (capt), M Giteau, L Tuqiri; S Larkham, G Gregan; M Dunning, S Moore, A Baxter; N Sharpe, D Vickerman; R Elsom, G Smith, W Palu. Replacements: A Freier, G Shepherdson, H McMeniman, S Hoiles, B Barnes, D Mitchell, M Gerrard.
FRANCE:Former national soccer captain Zinedine Zidane has volunteered to become France's number one supporter during the World Cup, coach Bernard Laporte said yesterday.
"I talked to Zinedine on the phone yesterday (Wednesday)," he told a news conference two days before France play the opening game of the tournament against Argentina.
"He rang to say we were about to live a powerful and difficult moment. He added he would not be able to come to the Stade de France on Friday but would watch the game on TV in Madrid and would be our first supporter."
Zidane's words "went straight to the hearts of the players", the French coach added.
TONGA:Despite having won only two games in their World Cup history, Tonga believe they can cause an upset in Pool A by qualifying for the quarter-finals.
The Tongans kick-off their campaign on Wednesday against USA in Montpellier and believe they finally have the squad to make their mark on world rugby.
"This is the best squad we have ever had for a rugby World Cup," boasted coach Quddus Fielea (TGA). "We have players based all around the world but this is the first time we have been able to get them all together."
