2023-09-15 22:06:04
New Zealand, largely overhauled following its defeat once morest France, offered itself an orgy of tests on Friday in Toulouse, synonymous with an offensive bonus, once morest a modest Namibia, swept aside 71-3.
Logically dominating in speed and impacts, the triple world champions, authors of eleven tries, returned to victory following two consecutive defeats once morest the Springboks (35-7) in preparation for this World Cup, and at the Stade de France in opening of the competition (27-13).
They now occupy second place in Group A (with five points), behind France (8 points), which struggled to win Thursday evening once morest the valiant Uruguayans (27-12).
“It’s good to win this evening, especially following last week’s result, even if we will have to erase the little problems that we had, particularly in terms of discipline” rejoiced Ardie Savea, the captain of the Blacks. “I’m very proud of the guys,” he added.
Namibia, too limited, did no better than in its previous confrontations once morest the silver fern players, during the 2019 World Cups (71-9, 11 tries) and 2015 (58-14, 9 tries) .
In complicated conditions (rain and gusts of wind), New Zealand got off to a flying start, with young Cam Roigard celebrating his first start in the scrum with two tries scored in quick succession at the start of the match.
Their partners added four new tries before half-time, allowing them to win the offensive bonus in the 25th minute.
In the second half, Ian Foster’s men offered themselves five new tries, Roigard, definitely in form and named man of the match, delivering two assists in the process.
This meeting is also that of a record 148th selection: the second row Sam Whitelock (34 years old) equaled the legend Richie McCaw in the number of appearances with the New Zealand selection.
The All-Blacks were, however, reduced to 14 in the second half following the yellow card received by de Groot (72nd), finally transformed into red following intervention from the bunker.
New Zealand scrum-half Cam Roigard during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Namibia at the Toulouse Stadium, September 15, 2023
AFP
Courageous and warmly encouraged by the Toulouse public, the Namibian “Welwitschias”, who take their nickname from a unique plant from the coastal desert, might have scored more points on penalty, but they often preferred to approach the neo-line Zeeland to try to score, without success.
“They were just too strong for us. I’m still happy because we managed to create a few chances even if we didn’t manage to take them. We learn from these Tier 1 teams every time we play once morest they” preferred to retain Namibia coach Allister Coetzee.
His team is still chasing a first victory in the World Cup following now 23 defeats in a row. There is little chance that the series will be interrupted once morest France on September 21, but it might happen once morest Uruguay in their last match in the competition (September 27).
In group A, the Blacks will only play once more on September 29 once morest Italy, before facing Uruguay on October 5.
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