This game saw two minnows battle it out for their first win of the Rugby World Cup with Tonga dominating throughout and deservedly coming out on top, despite some spirited resistance from Namibia.
Free flowing first half sees Tonga edge Namibia
The opening first five minutes was a true indication of how the rest of the game was going to be played, both sides came out to entertain as the backs had just as much of the ball as the forwards. It was due to these fast flowing hands that Tonga scored their opening try courtesy of Telusa Veainu on the five-minute mark. A beautiful back-orientated move saw Veainu collect an offload and burst through a hole in the Namibia line.
After this opening try, we saw a period of dominance for Tonga over the next five minutes as they pressed for another try. A try did come seven minutes after the first, as big man Jack Ram lived up to his name and rammed his way through the defence.
The opening 15 was clearly dominated by Tonga, but some naïve play saw them gift Namibia a try-scoring opportunity and they didn’t pass up on the chance. Namibian player Johan Tromp received an offload from just 10 metres out from the Tongan line and Tromp dived over the line. The try was converted and out of nowhere, Namibia found themselves right back in the match as a contest.
The more professional Tongan side, used their lineout to perfection to score a third try. Tonga aimed for the middle of the lineout and Namibia put up no resistance, the Tongan’s then played forward rugby after this and Fosita scored near the posts after a great pick up from a dodgy pass at close range.
The Tongan's went into the break 22-7 up.
Tonga come out and secure the bonus point despite Namibia's brave fight
With a sizeable gap between themselves and their opponents, Tonga came out in the second-half looking to secure the all-important try bonus point.
It didn’t take long for Tonga to get the vital forth try and secure the bonus the point. A poor kick and an even poorer kick chase from Namibia, allowed Tonga to counter-attack at pace. some brilliant skill plus some impressive teamwork is rounded off by Ram who gets his second try of the game.
With a fear of the match becoming one sided Namibia knew that they had to at least get one more score of their own. So who else to look to in a time of need than experienced captain Jacquez Burger, the Saracens man got a try back for the Namibian’s on the 48 minute mark.
The try came in slightly controversial circumstances, Burger dives for line and it seems is well tackled. Due to the referee asking if there were any reasons as to why the try could not be given, while the video evidence failed to prove that Burger had actually got the ball onto or over the line, the referee was happy to give it. The try was converted and Namibia were going to avoid embarrassment it seemed.
Just six minutes later however, Veainu added his second and Tonga’s fifth of the match. Double try scorer Ram, turns provider as he sets Veainu up who glides home for an easy try from nothing. With yet another missed conversion Tonga were yet to push Namibia out of the game. Burger scored his second of the game from a rolling maul to make it the first time Namibia have ever scored three tries at a World Cup.
Tonga deserved the try bonus point victory, but the rugby world will be impressed with how Namibia put up a fight.
