Rugby World Cup live scores: Samoa vs Namibia

 
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By The Roar, 14 Sep 2011

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    Samoa are set to field their strongest side to take on Namibia with the team that beat the Wallabies on hand for their Rugby World Cup opener. Join us for live scores from the commencement at 12.30pm AEST.

    Alesana Tuilagi is the man most will be watching as Samoa finally get underway in the World Cup.

    Tuilagi having been at the centre of the damage inflicted upon Australia, with Wallabies defenders clutching at the runaway man mountain in Samoa’s 32-23 win.

    If Samoan coach Titimaea Tafua can bottle that form, Namibia and the World Cup are in for a destructive Manu Samoa.

    Samoa’s strength and continuing professionalism is shown in their bench. Front-rowers Census Johnston and Ti’i Paulo, who start for their teams Toulouse and Clermont-Auvergne, are left to warm the seats and make an impact later in the game.

    The crowd will also be with them, with the Samoans wonderfully supported in New Zealand by a strong community.

    Namibia coach Johan Diergaardt has made four changes from the Fiji loss, asking for more physicality from his forwards and picking wingers with speed rather than bulk.

    The key for Namibia is ball in hand. Diergaardt must ensure his chargers aren’t frivolously kicking the ball away as they against Fiji. If they fail to hold possession, Samoa will be all too happy to smash the ball up and inflict more punishment on the Africans.

    Diergaardt remained upbeat into the match, suggesting there is more improvement to be found: “We have absolutely not reached our potential. People say we have gone above their expectations, but we have not gone above our expectations.”

    The other factor looks to be five eighth Theuns Kotze. The drop-goal specialist scored fifteen points with nine of them from three drop-goals at range in a four minute period. The early onslaught rattled the Fijians and Samoa will be looking to deny him time with the ball in their half.

    The game will be vital to decide the Pool D winner and runner-up. Join us for live scores on the game, and leave a comment if you’re watching.

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