New Zealand
71
Match Complete
Namibia
9
| T. Perenara |  | 78 | ||
| J. Barrett |  | 76 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 75 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 68 | ||
| B. Smith | | 67 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 56 | ||
| S. Whitelock | | 55 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 52 | ||
| S. Reece | | 51 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 47 | ||
| A. Lienert-Brown | | 46 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 45 | ||
| B. Smith | | 44 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 43 | ||
| J. Moody | | 41 | ||
| J. Barrett | | 36 | ||
| A. Ta'avao | | 35 | ||
| 29 |  | D. Stevens | ||
| 25 | | D. Stevens | ||
| A. Lienert-Brown | | 20 | ||
| S. Reece | | 5 | ||
| 2 | | D. Stevens |
| 11 | Tries | 0 | ||
| 8 | Conversions | 0 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 3 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Match result:
The New Zealand All Blacks enjoyed an expectedly comfortable win against Namibia at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, though the Namibians did themselves a credit by proving difficult to dislodge particularly in the first half.
Final score
All Blacks 71
Namibia 9
Match preview:
Trailing Italy and South Africa within their own pool, the All Blacks would like to win today, to put them in the box seat ahead of a matchup with the Azzurri. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 3:45pm (AEDT).
The All Blacks are incredibly heavy as favourites – this will be the most one-sided matchup of the World Cup to date, according to the experts. Namibia have done some good things, and challenged Italy when they played two weeks ago.
Namibia would love a bonus-point win, unlikely as that looks, with Canada looming. A second-placed finish in the pool would see them into the quarters, while a third-placed result means they qualify automatically for the 2023 tournament.
But if you’re looking for a more realistic scoreline, look back to New Zealand’s final warmup against Tonga, which they won 92-7.
In team news, Brodie Retallick has been named to make his return from injury.
Jordie is the sole surviving Barrett from a mistake-athon against Canada, where Beauden and Scott both bombed tries.
The Hurricanes back will take over at flyhalf, where he’ll partner Aaron Smith. TJ Perenara is on the bench and Richie Mo’unga has been left out of the matchday squad.
In other news, the in-form Ardie Savea returns to No.8, which is his best position.
Namibia have made a number of changes for this game. Cliven Loubser, the regular five-eighth will miss the game with an injury. This means the inexperienced Helarius Axasman Kisting will need to steer the ship.
Prediction
New Zealand will win, and the real storyline will be how their individual players perform. There’s no Kieran Read, but that shouldn’t affect the pack too much against Namibia.
All Blacks to win by 55.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 3:45pm (AEDT).
Venue: Tokyo Stadium
Time: 3:45pm (AEDT)
Referee: Pascal Gauzere
Odds: New Zealand $1.001, Namibia $201
All Blacks
Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Anton Lienart-Brown, Jack Goodhue, Sevu Reece.
Replacements:
Dane Coles, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipolotu, Matt Todd, Brad Weber, TJ Perenara, Rieko Ioane.
Namibia
Andre Rademeyer, Torsten van Jaarsveld, AJ de Klerk, PJ van Lill, Tjuiee Uanivi, Prince !Gaoseb, Thomasau Forbes, Janco Venter, Damian Stevens, Helarius Kisting, JC Greyling, Johan Deysel, Justin Newman, Lesley Klim, Johan Tromp.
Replacements:
Obert Daniell Nortje, Nelius Theron, Johannes Coetzee, Johan Retief, Adriaan Booysen, Eugene Jantjies, Darryl De La Harpe, Janry Du Toit.
Sylvester
Guest
I thought Matt Todd was offside on the fringe at least four times in the short time he was on.
ScottD
Roar Guru
Not to mention being completely oblivious to offside at the ruck and maul. Refs seem to be quite happy with unbound forwards lurking forward of the last man. They can’t even say they aren’t influencing the game because they are often the first tackler. Can’t blame to video ref for that one, it is just poor by the three refs on the field.
Tinfoil Hat
Guest
I agree. The problem with the laws as written are that they assume the ball carrier never deliberately puts their head in a dangerous position. This can be gamed. Adopt the technique of leading with the head low or ducking as low as possible in each tackle and the opposition will soon have 3-4 guys in the bin. Easy win all nice and legal.
PB
Guest
Predicting World Rugby will make public statement about new instructions on cards before the play-offs. Effectively, downgrading all one step, and "We will sort things out after the World cup is over".
jaysper
Roar Guru
These imbeciles are destroying rugby. They are trying to remove all possibility of injury which is impossible in a contact sport and they are making a mockery of the game and the cup. This is the first rwc where not only is there a chance that the best team won't win but it is almost a certainty.
Sylvester
Guest
Good to see they're right on top of these "high" tackles, yet oblivious the forward passes and cynical cheating at the breakdown.
Highlander
Guest
Referees are as much a victim of World Rugby as the players are. Almost circular outcomes in those examples today, there is nothing you can do as a defender, just got to let him go,.....stupid. And any action you take is a penalty at best and a suspension at worst. Refs know if they don’t call it they aren’t getting a quarter final to ref. Self fulfilling. Rule 1 from the CEO handbook, think through all potential unintended consequences of your decisions. WR have failed, and sadly I don’t see a way back during the span of this comp.
Killzone250
Roar Rookie
This tournament is going to be decided by cards, there's no stopping it. There's an awful lot of players, mainly forwards, running head forward and low. It's now a tactic, watch the Bok's they are all doing it, and they aren't the only ones.
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Good to see someone is listening. :silly:
Ralph
Roar Guru
They have to fix the terrible inconsistency first. Only some head shots are being carded, or at times even penalised. If you going to decide games through cards you need a reliable system. At the moment they are doubling down on incompetence.
ChuckP
Roar Rookie
It's not the refs fault.
Ralph
Roar Guru
I worry world rugby are running it very close to the edge. Their big problem is the combination of a system that decides matches (England vs Argentina) combined with extreme inconsistency. And their habit of blaming the refs for the mess World Cup has created is deeply unattractive. If they lose TV viewers they will have to fix that mess.
Killzone250
Roar Rookie
Here's a thought, say both props got suspended for a game for their tackles. Next game they only have 3 props - you have to have 4 - so one of the suspended props would have to be sent home and Franks gets a call-up.
Kdog
Guest
There’s no point everybody climbing into the refs because it’s not going to do anything other than put the refs under more pressure and that’s not going to fix the problem
Highlander
Guest
Couple of interesting things today - ABs very careful to avoid suspensions at the whims of the referee employed a technique of making the tackle from the side as the player goes past you, Similar to what the Boks did against Jonah in 1995, kinda worked but you give up metres. - But still 2 yellows for head highs a metre from the ground, if the officials are consistent teams will not be able to defend their goalline from close quarter pick and go's, and by the way World Rugby - don't wrap an arm its a shoulder charge, try to wrap and risk a yellow - you have built a rod for your own back which will bgga this tournament. - Ben Smith spent lots of time at first receiver, one of three guys NZ ran in there today. - Good to see Brodie get a 30min gallop and play the middle of the park distribution role on more than 1 occasion. Good effort form Namibia in the opening half and hour but taking a knee at the end of every phase cause you cant kep up the pace is not a good look. Hansen will be happy that the inaccuracy of the opening stanza improved in the run home, box ticked.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
So close, they just needed 21 more penalty goals.
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
Big thumbs up to Namibia. The so called minnows are presenting more of a physical challenge these days.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Yeah, that was proper Harlem Globetrotters stuff.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Another damn yellow card
Tom English
Roar Guru
Clock in red! Dominant second half. ABs on the attack. Still hungry for more. Knocked on now. FULLTIME: New Zealand 71 Namibia 9