Italy
47
Match Complete
Namibia
22
| 79 |  | C. Loubser | ||
| 78 |  | C. Plato | ||
| C. Canna | | 76 | ||
| M. Minozzi | | 75 | ||
| J. Polledri | | 69 | ||
| 56 | | J. Greyling | ||
| 50 |  | C. Loubser | ||
| C. Canna | | 47 | ||
| C. Canna | | 46 | ||
| T. Allan | | 44 | ||
| E. Padovani | | 43 | ||
| T. Allan | | 42 | ||
| T. Tebaldi | | 40 | ||
| T. Allan | | 26 | ||
| T. Allan | | 25 | ||
| 10 | |||
| 6 | | C. Loubser | ||
| 5 | | D. Stevens |
| 7 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 5 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Italy and Namibia kick-off their World Cups in this clash that might have no effect on the tournament itself, but will mean so much for both sets of players. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of what promises to be a thrilling match starting from 3:15pm (AEST).
When you’re in a group with both New Zealand and South Africa you’re aspirations for the World Cup tend to become quite simple in many ways. Two victories is really the best you can hope for and so you focus hard on those matches. This is one of those matches so expect to see both teams doing everything they can to lock in one of those precious World Cup victories.
For Namibia, it would be their first-ever win at the tournament, but the odds are stacked against them. They are missing their skipper and hero Johan Deysel who is out with injury and haven’t played a competitive game since June.
The team will be looking to Janco Venter in the back row, Tjiuee Uanivi in the second row and 22-year-old Cliven Loubser at fly-half to bring power, possession and points. If these three can have big games then their team will feed off them.
For the Italians, they will still have belief that they can upset one of the big two in their group and so finding rhythm in this opening game is crucial.
Legendary captain Sergio Parisse will become the second most capped player ever and play in his fifth World Cup and he will, as always, lead from the front.
Sometimes he tries to do a bit too much and one of the best things he can do is let the others around him step up and shine.
While the Italians will feel that they are expected to score a flood of tries, it’s important that they start by winning that battle up front so look for the men in blue to try and dominate in both the set-piece and at the breakdown.
This shouldn’t be too difficult, especially when you consider that the Italians had the most effective line out in this year’s Six Nations.
Prediction
Namibia will put in a colossal effort and will view this game as one they could win if they have a great game.
It would be an incredible result for them if they can make something special happen. However, while the Italians might be considered the weakest of the Tier 1 European sides, they are still a good side on the broader world stage and they should see of this first of their African challenges in this group.
Italy to win by 20.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of what promises to be a thrilling match starting from 3:15pm (AEST) on Sunday.
Game information
Kick-off: 3:15pm (AEST)
Venue: Hanazono Rugby Stadium, Higashiosaka
TV: Live, Fox Sports
Betting: Italy $1.02, Namibia $15
Referee: Nic Berry
Overall record: Played 3, Namibia 2, Italy 1
Teams
Italy
15 Jayden Hayward
14 Mattia Bellini
13 Tommaso Benvenuti
12 Luca Morisi
11 Edoardo Padovani
10 Tommaso Allan
9 Tito Tebaldi
8 Sergio Parisse (c)
7 Maxime Mbanda
6 Braam Steyn
5 Federico Ruzza
4 Alessandro Zanni
3 Tiziano Pasquali
2 Luca Bigi
1 Nicola Quaglio
Replacements:
16 Oliviero Fabiani
17 Simone Ferrari
18 Marco Riccioni
19 Dean Budd
20 Jake Polledri
21 Guglielmo Palazzani
22 Carlo Canna
23 Matteo Minozzi
Namibia
15 Johan Tromp
14 Chad Plato
13 Justin Newman
12 Darryl De La Harpe
11 JC Greyling
10 Cliven Loubser
9 Damian Stevens
8 Janco Venter
7 Wian Conradie
6 Rohan Kitshoff
5 Tjiuee Uanivi (c)
4 PJ Van Lill
3 Johannes Coetzee
2 Torsten van Jaarsveld
1 Andre Rademeyer
Replacements:
16 Louis van der Westhuizen
17 AJ De Klerk
18 Nelius Theron
19 Johan Retief
20 Max Katjijeko
21 Eugene Jantjies
22 Helarius Axasman Kisting
23 Lesley Klim
Wigeye
Guest
Scotland kicking all there ball away,19 to 3 38 minutes gone
riddler
Roar Rookie
cheers oliver for the call!! :thumbup: :thumbup:
Oliver Matthews
Expert
MATCH REPORT Italy have beaten Namibia by 47 points to 22 in an entertaining clash as Group B continues to complete its first round of matches. While there was no one who was backing the Namibians before the game, they started incredibly well and after just 6 minutes they scored the opening try and it was a beauty. A lovely break down one wing with some nice inter passing between players before Damian Stevens finished off. Just for a second or so there would have been fans wondering are we about to see something that will go down in history. But the Italians began to play their way back into the game and stayed calm. It was the set piece where they really dominated and especially the scrum. Time after time throughout the game the Namibian scrum was their weakness and it cost them penalties and even one penalty try in the 11th minute. It was a dependable bed rock that the Italians could rely upon at times during the game when they couldn’t seem to gain an advantage elsewhere. The Italians started to settle into a bit of rhythm half way through the first half and their backs were finding plenty of space to slice through the gaps in the Namibian defence. They continued to dominate the first half but couldn’t turn this into points until half time when a last second try made the scoreboard look a little bit more respectable. The Namibians were working hard as you’d expect in the first half and their defence was tough and made it hard for the Italians especially around the ruck. However they struggled to create many opportunities when they had the ball in hand and the Italians knew they could just line up in defence, make their tackles and not worry too much about any great creativity from the Namibians. As the second half kicked off the rain came pouring down and both sides struggled with the ball in hand. Italy will not have been happy with their handling errors even though the weather was poor and they will know that they have to sharpen up in future games. A couple of quick tries in the second half killed the game off for certain and the Italians clearly relaxed as they knew they’d wrapped up the win. Unfortunately for the fans the game went through a period of about 20 minutes where neither side could really take control. Knock on after knock on slowed the game right down and neither side found any rhythm. The Namibians kept trying though and were rewarded with two tries in the second half - first from JC Greyling and then a lovely individual play from Chad Plato at the death. The Namibian defence was brutal at times and their two player tackles would often lead to the Italians being driven back. It did cost them sometimes when the approach left space out wide for the Italians to exploit but the Europeans will definitely wake up sore tomorrow! Neither of these sides is going to trouble the big boys in this group but it’s crucial for them that they perform well in their remaining games. The Italians must target a clear 3rd spot in the group and if the Namibians can pick up just one win it will be their best World Cup. Loads more rugby to come with one of the matches of the opening weekend about to kick off as Scotland and Ireland go head to head - make sure you stay on The Roar and get involved. See you soon. Olly
Oliver Matthews
Expert
FULL TIME Italy: 47 Namibia: 22 The Italians have got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a solid 25 point win over Namibia. The Namibians never stopped trying and they scored some lovely tries but unsurprisingly the Italians were too good in the key areas of the game. FULL MATCH REPORT TO COME
Kudos to Namibia for their endeavour.
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Oh the Namibian line out fails and the Italians get their hands on it. They kick ahead but the ball rolls into touch before a chaser can get anywhere near and the ref blows for full time. Italy: 47 Namibia: 22 Time: 80:40
Oliver Matthews
Expert
PENALTY!!! The final gong has gone but the Namibians have got the penalty. They have gone for touch and are going to create one final special moment in this game. They have a line out about 38m from the Italian try line. Italy: 47 Namibia: 22 Time: 80:30
Oliver Matthews
Expert
CONVERSION!!! Cliven Loubser gets the extra two points. Italy: 47 Namibia: 22 Time: 79:30
Oliver Matthews
Expert
TRY!!! Well what an end to the game - that is a special try for Chad Plato as he bursts through a gap created off the back of a Namibian line out. He had loads still to do but a lovely step took him away from one defender and his pace got him over the line! Italy: 47 Namibia: 20 Time: 78:30
79
78
76
Oliver Matthews
Expert
CONVERSION!!! Canna doesn't miss this one and the Italians get very close to the half century. Italy: 47 Namibia: 15 Time: 77:00
Oliver Matthews
Expert
TRY!!! Matteo Minozzi uses his speed and power to finish off a nice passage from the Italians. The double tackler approach from the Namibians always leaves space somewhere and the Italians were able to find it. They got the ball out to Minozzi and he saw enough of a gap between two players to back himself and he burst through and scored. Italy: 45 Namibia: 15 Time: 76:00
75
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Italian line out about 8m out from the line. The throw is caught easily and the maul starts to roll. They gain a few metres but then look to get it out to the backs - what can they do? Italy: 40 Namibia: 15 Time: 75:30
Oliver Matthews
Expert
PENALTY!! High tackle so Italy can kick to the corner and this is a good chance for another try before the final whistle. Italy: 40 Namibia: 15 Time: 74:40
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Italian line out goes long to Parisse and is taken well. Nice move in the backs and the Italians are making good ground as they run good lines through the Namibian defence. The Italians were up to the 22 but the Namibians have forced them back with some great defence - lots of double tackles making it impossible for the Italians to get through. Italy: 40 Namibia: 15 Time: 74:00
Oliver Matthews
Expert
Trouble here for Namibia but they recover well - they had been forced back deep into their own 22 by a nice kick from the Italians and the chasers made things very hard. Jantjies managed to clear to touch but this is another good opportunity for the Italians as they have a line out about 45m from the Namibian line. Italy: 40 Namibia: 15 Time: 72:40
Oliver Matthews
Expert
CONVERSION MISSED!! Poor kick from Canna as he slices the conversion attempt. Italy: 40 Namibia: 15 Time: 71:00