Alesana Tuilagi scored a hat-trick despite having a try disallowed as Samoa began their World Cup with ominous ease in Pool D. Samoa dominated set pieces and looked a menacing outfit throughout the match but were troubled by injury blows to key personnel as they move to the top of the pool of death on point differential. Namibia limited a score-line that initially threatened to … [Read more...]
Match Preview: Samoa – Namibia
Samoa have named their strongest available fifteen as they aim to kick off their campaign with a convincing win against minnows Namibia in Wednesday’s afternoon match in Rotorua. A spirited performance by Namibia against Fiji earlier in the tournament may have influenced the Samoan team selection, while the Samoans will also look to build momentum and team combinations ahead of … [Read more...]
Match Review: Fiji – Namibia
Fiji opened their World Cup account with a comfortable win over Namibia in an exciting game in Rotorua today. The Namibians impressed in the first quarter and showed heart throughout the match but were ultimately outmatched 49-25 by a bigger, faster Fijian back line epitomised by four-try hero Vereniki Goneva. Promising young Namibian fly-half Theuns Kotze scored the first … [Read more...]
Match Preview: Fiji – Namibia
Pool D kicks off on Saturday afternoon, 3.30 pm local time, with minnows Namibia facing the flying Fijians in what matches up as a clash of two very different rugby philosophies. Fiji will expect to comfortably win ahead of significant matches against Samoa and Wales; a meeting between the two in the 1999 World Cup ended 67-18 in favour of the Islanders and only a very brave … [Read more...]
Namibia’s RWC 2011 Preview
Namibia faces an uphill battle to improve their poor World Cup record, having previously never won a game in three tournaments. Pool D pits the African nation against neighbours and defending champions South Africa, Warren Gatland’s Wales and the Pacific duo of Samoa and Fiji, four teams Namibia have never beaten. Namibia will aim for respectability after suffering some … [Read more...]