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Tonga get the result they needed with a decent win over Namibia. They were too strong in the set piece for the Africans, especially in the scrum, and at times they played some nice stuff.
Namibia wouldn’t lie down though and scored three tries, two from mauls to Burger.
Plucky again from Namibia but they’ll be a little disappointed they couldn’t hold on to the ball.
The victory keeps Tonga alive but they’ll need to be much, much better to compete with Argentina and the All Blacks.
Final Score:
Tonga 35
Namibia 21
Tonga will be looking to get its Rugby World Cup campaign back on track when it faces Namibia in Exeter. Join The Roar from 1.45am (AEDT) for live scores and coverage of all the action from this Pool C clash.
The Tongans were surprised by the Georgians in their opening game, losing to the European minnows. The Pacific Islanders will be fired up to right that wrong and take the game to the Namibians.
Tonga beat France in New Zealand in 2011 and will want to make a similar impact at this tournament.
They have been forced into several changes because of injury with Nili Latu to miss the match due to a hamstring strain, so deputies Viliami Ma’afu and Siale Piutau will co-captain the team in his absence.
In all they have made nine changes, the second most ever made by Tonga between successive World Cup matches, to put together a very experienced 15. This team has 327 Test caps worth of experience in its starting line-up, their most ever in a World Cup match.
At an average of 30 years and 200 days this is also Tonga’s oldest starting line-up in a World Cup match.
Aleki Lutui, 37, is the fourth oldest player at this World Cup, and he gets a run. Soane Tonga’uiha will also play in his third World Cup, joining six others including Vungakoto Lilo.
Tonga’s opponent, Namibia, was solid in its World Cup opening loss to the All Blacks. Their coach, Phil Davies, has rung the changes for the encounter with Tonga in Exeter.
Davies makes eight amendments to the starting XV who lost 58-14 to the world champions. Two of last week’s team – scrum-half Eugene Jantjies, who has a bruised cheekbone, and tight-head prop Raoul Larsen, who has not shaken off a hamstring injury – were not considered for the game at Sandy Park through injury.
Eneill Buitendag comes in at scrum-half on Tuesday afternoon and will partner Theuns Kotze while Johan Deysel keeps his place at inside-centre. Casper Viviers comes in at loose-head against the Tongans, who have had 10 days to recover from their disappointing defeat by Georgia.
The Africans have never won a match at a World Cup so will be out to break that duck.
Join The Roar from 1.45am (AEDT) for commentary from Sandy Park.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.