Namibia rattle error-ridden Azzuri

LIMBA MUPETAMI In blustery wind and torrential rain, Namibia opened their Japan Rugby World Cup match with a brilliant try, after seizing an overthrown line-out to produce a flowing move down the right flank that was finished off acrobatically by scrumhalf Damian Stevens.Cliven Loubser converted the try, giving the Namibians and early 7-0 lead. However, this was short-lived as Italy made their presence felt in the 10th minute, with a Sergio Parisse-inspired pushover scrum resulting in a penalty try, as Namibia collapsed on their line. The score then stood at 7-7.The Italians squandered several chances in a nervy and mistake-ridden first half, but eventually took the lead in the 26th minute, as they tore apart the Namibian defence for flyhalf Tommaso Allan to touch down under the posts.Allan converted and Italy led 14-7. Tito Tebaldi found space down the left from just outside the 22. Allan converted and they went into the break leading 21-7.In the second half, Edoardo Padovani scored a try after a clever kick behind the Namibian defence, which was converted by Allan.Italy’s Carlo Canna scored and Italy were suddenly leading 35-7.To their credit, Namibia never gave up and scored a well-earned try that was worked from the base of a scrum, with winger JC Greyling finishing off the move.With 10 minutes left, Italy scored again from a set-piece through Jake Poledri (40-15). The Italians' seventh try came through replacement back Matteo Minozzi, but Namibia had the last laugh when Chad Plato capped a superb display by running the Italian defence for their third try. The match ended 47-22 in Italy’s favour.Namibia’s head coach Phil Davies said he was proud of his players. “It was an exciting match. We have to avoid costly errors and hold on to the ball more and kick more,” Davies said.Namibia’s captain Tjiuee Uanivi was also proud of his players, saying they put in a massive effort, even though there were too many turnovers.“In the next match we will try to keep the ball more.”Italy coach Conor O'Shea said his team were "disappointed" with their Rugby World Cup start, after they were forced to come from behind in an error-strewn win."We'll have to move on from that pretty quickly. It wasn't very pretty. There's too many errors in it," said O'Shea."It was difficult conditions at times in the second half, which doesn't excuse it. But we'll be disappointed with the way we played. That's not the true version of us," said the Irishman, after the bonus-point win.Namibia's defence coach Dale McIntosh had promised to treat the fans to an impromptu haka if the minnows pulled off a shock win, and it was the unfancied Namibians who started the brightest.Namibia will play South African next on 28 September. -Additional info by NAMPA/AFP

Namibia rattle error-ridden Azzuri

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-30

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Namibia rattle error-ridden Azzuri

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Namibian Sun 2025-04-30

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