Namibia’s top performers
Namibia have provided great entertainment at the 2019 Japan Rugby World Cup so far and are eyeing an historic first win at the global spectacle against Canada on Sunday.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
Namibia’s performance against the All Blacks earned them respect from many fans across the world.
They may have lost the match 71-9, but they can still walk tall after a pulsating and courageous first half that ended 24-9 in favour of the All Blacks.
“We’re very proud of the players and the effort we put in,” said head coach Phil Davies.
His side also made some clean breaks against South Africa.
“The scoreboard (against the All Blacks) looks a bit painful, but in terms of the performance there’s a lot to take out of that match,” Davies added.
Ever since the World Cup draw was announced, Namibia have set their sights on beating Canada in their final pool match this coming Sunday.
A victory would finally end a string of 22 straight losses at World Cups since 1999.
The last time Namibia beat a tier-one nation was 28 years ago, when they defeated Ireland 26-15 in Windhoek in 1991.
Here we look at some players who stood out during this past Sunday’s match against New Zealand, as well as in the previous pool B losses against Italy (47-22) and South Africa (57-3).
Phenomenal squad
For a nation that doesn’t have many competitions, Namibia are earning the respect of many at this World Cup.
Damian Stevens
Despite his small frame (1.64 metres, 72 kg), the 24-year-old Sharks scrumhalf proves that dynamite comes in small packages. His passing under pressure has been smooth and accurate, while he also displayed incredible speed when scoring Namibia’s first try against Italy. Against the All Blacks he took over the place-kicking duties, calmly landing three penalties out of three attempts. He didn’t play against South Africa.
Chad Plato
This dynamic 21-year-old wing was a surprise package when he was selected ahead of veteran Chrysander Botha. The youngster from Walvis Bay scored a spectacular late try against Italy with a 40-metre sprint through the midfield. Against South Africa he defended well in one-on-one situations against Makazole Mapimpi, who weighs 90kg compared to his 78kg. He sat out the New Zealand match.
Cliven Loubser
Flyhalf Cliven Loubser, who at only 22 is already fourth on the national points’ scoring record list, scored a penalty and two conversions against Italy. In the match against South Africa he scored a penalty before his second attempt bounced off the upright. Loubser was rested for the match against the All Blacks, as he picked up an ankle knock against the Springboks.
Helarius Kisting
The 25-year-old utility back made two quiet appearances off the bench against Italy and South Africa, but then displayed his remarkable big-match temperament when selected to start as flyhalf against New Zealand, after regular starter Loubser was ruled out with an ankle injury. Kisting made two clean breaks and beat three defenders to show his attacking threat, while also performing well in his kicking and defensive duties. His cover defence tackle at the corner flag after 78 minutes, which almost prevented New Zealand’s TJ Perenara from scoring a remarkable try, was one of the standout moments of the match. Kisting defended his flyhalf channel well against the All Blacks (12 tackles out of 15 on the day).
JC Greyling
Centre JC Greyling (28) scored a well-worked second-half try against Italy. This was his 17th test try for Namibia since the 2015 World Cup and his 21st test try overall, pushing him up to fifth on the national record list. With his team under pressure against South Africa and New Zealand, he didn’t get many attacking opportunities. He left the field with an injury on Sunday, but will hopefully be fit to take on Canada.
Johan Deysel
Centre Johan Deysel (28) missed the opener against Italy due to a shoulder injury, but made an impressive impact off the bench against the Springboks. He returned to start as captain and inside centre against the All Blacks and was again very solid on attack and defence, before leaving the field with discomfort to his shoulder during the second half.
Torsten van Jaarsveld
The 32-year-old was rested for the clash against the Springboks, but his performances against Italy and especially New Zealand were further proof of why he is such a highly-rated player. Before he became a stalwart at his current French club Bayonne, Van Jaarsveld was also one of the top hookers in Super Rugby and the Pro14 while representing the Cheetahs. Against the All Blacks, he made a few valuable steals on the ground and was also a very active defender (nine tackles).
Davies has rotated the three hookers in his squad to give all of them some game time, with Van Jaarsveld’s younger understudies Louis van der Westhuizen (24) and Obert Nortjé (22) also proving their worth with high work-rates on defence and attack. Their mix of youth and experience should ensure that Namibia will remain well-served in the hooker position.
Tjiuee Uanivi
The 28-year-old lock certainly brings a lot of depth to the squad, as he uses his height well. He won four lineouts in the match against Italy, three lineouts against South Africa and nine against the All Blacks.
Wian Conradie
The 24-year-old flanker made 11 tackles when his side faced Italy in their first match. He missed the following two matches, but is a great asset to the team.
Prince !Gaoseb
The former under-20 captain and Blue Bulls junior player excelled after being picked to start against New Zealand. In only his third test following his international debut against Russia in November last year, the tough as nails forward made 21 tackles against the All Blacks - more than any other player on both sides.
Namibia’s performance against the All Blacks earned them respect from many fans across the world.
They may have lost the match 71-9, but they can still walk tall after a pulsating and courageous first half that ended 24-9 in favour of the All Blacks.
“We’re very proud of the players and the effort we put in,” said head coach Phil Davies.
His side also made some clean breaks against South Africa.
“The scoreboard (against the All Blacks) looks a bit painful, but in terms of the performance there’s a lot to take out of that match,” Davies added.
Ever since the World Cup draw was announced, Namibia have set their sights on beating Canada in their final pool match this coming Sunday.
A victory would finally end a string of 22 straight losses at World Cups since 1999.
The last time Namibia beat a tier-one nation was 28 years ago, when they defeated Ireland 26-15 in Windhoek in 1991.
Here we look at some players who stood out during this past Sunday’s match against New Zealand, as well as in the previous pool B losses against Italy (47-22) and South Africa (57-3).
Phenomenal squad
For a nation that doesn’t have many competitions, Namibia are earning the respect of many at this World Cup.
Damian Stevens
Despite his small frame (1.64 metres, 72 kg), the 24-year-old Sharks scrumhalf proves that dynamite comes in small packages. His passing under pressure has been smooth and accurate, while he also displayed incredible speed when scoring Namibia’s first try against Italy. Against the All Blacks he took over the place-kicking duties, calmly landing three penalties out of three attempts. He didn’t play against South Africa.
Chad Plato
This dynamic 21-year-old wing was a surprise package when he was selected ahead of veteran Chrysander Botha. The youngster from Walvis Bay scored a spectacular late try against Italy with a 40-metre sprint through the midfield. Against South Africa he defended well in one-on-one situations against Makazole Mapimpi, who weighs 90kg compared to his 78kg. He sat out the New Zealand match.
Cliven Loubser
Flyhalf Cliven Loubser, who at only 22 is already fourth on the national points’ scoring record list, scored a penalty and two conversions against Italy. In the match against South Africa he scored a penalty before his second attempt bounced off the upright. Loubser was rested for the match against the All Blacks, as he picked up an ankle knock against the Springboks.
Helarius Kisting
The 25-year-old utility back made two quiet appearances off the bench against Italy and South Africa, but then displayed his remarkable big-match temperament when selected to start as flyhalf against New Zealand, after regular starter Loubser was ruled out with an ankle injury. Kisting made two clean breaks and beat three defenders to show his attacking threat, while also performing well in his kicking and defensive duties. His cover defence tackle at the corner flag after 78 minutes, which almost prevented New Zealand’s TJ Perenara from scoring a remarkable try, was one of the standout moments of the match. Kisting defended his flyhalf channel well against the All Blacks (12 tackles out of 15 on the day).
JC Greyling
Centre JC Greyling (28) scored a well-worked second-half try against Italy. This was his 17th test try for Namibia since the 2015 World Cup and his 21st test try overall, pushing him up to fifth on the national record list. With his team under pressure against South Africa and New Zealand, he didn’t get many attacking opportunities. He left the field with an injury on Sunday, but will hopefully be fit to take on Canada.
Johan Deysel
Centre Johan Deysel (28) missed the opener against Italy due to a shoulder injury, but made an impressive impact off the bench against the Springboks. He returned to start as captain and inside centre against the All Blacks and was again very solid on attack and defence, before leaving the field with discomfort to his shoulder during the second half.
Torsten van Jaarsveld
The 32-year-old was rested for the clash against the Springboks, but his performances against Italy and especially New Zealand were further proof of why he is such a highly-rated player. Before he became a stalwart at his current French club Bayonne, Van Jaarsveld was also one of the top hookers in Super Rugby and the Pro14 while representing the Cheetahs. Against the All Blacks, he made a few valuable steals on the ground and was also a very active defender (nine tackles).
Davies has rotated the three hookers in his squad to give all of them some game time, with Van Jaarsveld’s younger understudies Louis van der Westhuizen (24) and Obert Nortjé (22) also proving their worth with high work-rates on defence and attack. Their mix of youth and experience should ensure that Namibia will remain well-served in the hooker position.
Tjiuee Uanivi
The 28-year-old lock certainly brings a lot of depth to the squad, as he uses his height well. He won four lineouts in the match against Italy, three lineouts against South Africa and nine against the All Blacks.
Wian Conradie
The 24-year-old flanker made 11 tackles when his side faced Italy in their first match. He missed the following two matches, but is a great asset to the team.
Prince !Gaoseb
The former under-20 captain and Blue Bulls junior player excelled after being picked to start against New Zealand. In only his third test following his international debut against Russia in November last year, the tough as nails forward made 21 tackles against the All Blacks - more than any other player on both sides.
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