Rugby Test: Namibia is almost at the World Cup

28.11.2009
Tunisia v Namibia in Windhoek

Venue: Stade National de Rugby d’El Menzah

Referee:

Preview
Namibia has the luxury of entering their 2nd leg home encounter against Tunisia with a five point buffer. Tunisia would have wanted a win at home due to the fact they do not have a good record against Namibia away. The fact they lost at home gives a distinct psychological advantage to Namibia.

Namibian coach John Williams has had to make some changes to the successful first leg win. Heini Bock and Jurie von Tonder are injured. Heinz Koll replaces veteran Wacca Kazombiaze, who moves to the bench.

Kees Lensing captained Namibia to their 1st leg win in Tunis. Image thanks to www.rugbyworldcup.com

Unfortunately I cannot find a word about the Tunisian team on the internet. They will certainly have a tough time to defeat the hosts by 6 points or more even though the locals have a few key players out in the backline. Perhaps Tunisia has a few injury worries as well.

Last Five Encounters
14.11.2009 Namibia 18-13 in Tunis (WCQ Africa, Africa Cup, Final)
07.10.2006 Namibia 23-15 in Windhoek (WCQ Africa R2, Grp B; Africa Cup, Grp B)
01.07.2006 Tunisia 24-7 in Tunis (WCQ Africa R2, Group B; Africa Cup Group B)
12.10.2002 Tunisia 24-17 in Tunis (WCQ Africa R4)
28.09.2002 Namibia 26-19 in Windhoek (WCQ Africa R4)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Namibia 18th, Tunisia 27th
Africa Table-Namibia 2nd, Tunisia 3rd

Prediction: Namibia by 25

Teams

Namibia
15 Chrysander Botha
14 Tinus Venter
13 Piet van Zyl
12 David Philander
11 Bradley Langenhoven
10 Emile Wessels
9 Eugene Jantjies
8 Tinus du Plessis
7 Jacques Niewenhuis
6 Jacques Burger
5 Nico Esterhuizen
4 Heinz Koll
3 Marius Visser
2 Hugo Horn
1 Kees Lensing, Capt.
Replacements
16 Shaun Esterhuzen
17 Johnny Redelinghuys
18 Jane du Toit
19 PJ van Lill
20 Ismael du Plessis, New cap
21 Wacca Kazombiaze
22 Robert Herridge
Head Coach: John Williams

http://www.namibiasport.com.na/node/10030

Tunisia
Team list not yet available.

World Cup Rugby: Will it be Tunisia or Namibia?

14.11.2009
Namibia v Tunisia in Tunis (WCQ Africa & Africa Cup; Final, 1st leg)

Venue: Stade National de rugby d’El Menzah

Referee:

Preview
The winner of this series (game 2 in Windhoek, November 28) will qualify directly into the Rugby World Cup finals. The loser still gets another chance. They will play the winner of Europe R6 for a final World Cup finals place.

Namibia warmed up for this crucial game with a 12-9 win over Portugal in Lisbon. Traditionally they have not performed well against the Tunisians but have won all their home fixtures. Namibia will want to win here in Tunis but they will at least push the Tunisians as close as they can, knowing they have the home advantage for the second leg.

The Namibian team prior to leaving for Portugal and Tunisia. Image thanks to www.namibiasport.com.na

Tunisia has the uphill battle. They must win, and win well, for their home fixture knowing they have never won away in Windhoek before. This game shapes up to be a cracker. I would love to be in Tunis Saturday.

Last Five Encounters
07.10.2006 Namibia 23-15 in Windhoek (WCQ Africa R2, Grp B; Africa Cup, Grp B)
01.07.2006 Tunisia 24-7 in Tunis (WCQ Africa R2, Group B; Africa Cup Group B)
12.10.2002 Tunisia 24-17 in Tunis (WCQ Africa R4)
28.09.2002 Namibia 26-19 in Windhoek (WCQ Africa R4)
18.04.1998 Namibia 20-17 in Tunis (WCQ Africa Rnd C)

Traditionally both these teams has found it difficult to win in each other's patch.

Because it's been a while since these two teams faced each other lets look at recent performances

Namibia's Last Five Tests
27.06.2009 Won 54-14 v Ivory Coast in Windhoek (WCQ Africa R2 & Africa Cup Semi Final)
14.06.2009 Drew with Ivory Coast 13-13 in Abidjan (WCQ Africa R2 & Africa Cup Semi Final)
15.05.2009 Lost 7-19 v Argentina XV in Buenos Aires
08.05.2009 Lost 8-67 v Argentina XV in Buenos Aires
02.08.2008 Won 35-21 v Zimbabwe in Windhoek (WCQ Africa R1, Pool A)

Tunisia's Last Five Tests
27.06.2009 Won 38-13 v Uganda in Tunis (WCQ Africa R2 & Africa Cup Semi-Final)
13.06.2009 Won 41-17 v Uganda in Kampala (WCQ Africa R2 & Africa Cup Semi Final)
30.05. 2009 Won 15-7 v Romanian XV in Tunis
02.08.2008 Won 44-15 v Kenya in Tunis (WCQ Africa R1, Pool C)
14.06.2008 Won 16-12 v Cameroun in Yaounde (WCQ Africa R1, Pool C)

Tunisia has the better win/loss record but against weaker teams.

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-Namibia 18th, Tunisia 27th
Africa Table-Namibia 2nd, Tunisia 3rd

Prediction: .It will be tough. It will be close. Tunisia by 3 points

Teams

Namibia
15. Chrysander Botha (Kudus RFC)
14. Bradley Langenhoven
13. Piet van Zyl (French Club)
12. Tinus Venter
11. Heini Bock
10. Emile Wessels
9. Jurie van Tonder
8. Tinus du Plessis (Rotherham Titans RFC, England)
7. Jacques Nieuwenhuis (English club)
6. Jacques Burger (Northern Transvaal Bulls, SA)
5. Nico Esterhuyse (Boland Cavaliers, SA)
4. Wacca Kazombiaze (Birmingham & Solihull RFC, England)
3. Jane du Toit
2. Hugo Horn (Rotherham Titans RFC, England)
1. Kees Lensing (Castres, France)
Replacements:
16. Shaun Esterhuizen (Stellenbosch University, SA)
17. Marius Visser
18. Heinz Koll (Wanderers RFC) *
19. PJ van Lill
20. Eugene Jantjies (Farul Constanta, Romania)
21. Robert Herridge (United Rugby Club)*
22. David Philander
Head Coach: John Williams

* New caps

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying/news/newsid=2034333.html#unbelievable+price+awaits+african+qualifier, and thanks to ‘Quentin’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3279

Tunisia
15. Sabeur Charrada
14. Haithem Cheili
13. Amor Hamdi
12. Amor Mezgar
11. Abbes Kherfani
10. Lofti Bensellem
9. Sabri Gmir
8. Moured Souid
7. Mohamed Ben Hmida
6. Kaled Zegden
5. Abdelmajid Zemzem
4. Amara Dridi
3. Akram Aouamri
2. Aziz Kassar
1. Hedi Souid (captain)
Replacements:
16. Noktar Guetari
17. Sari Limevi
18. Chahir Aouadi
19. Amine Gharsallah
20. Mohamed Ali Kochlef
21. Aimen Gloulou
22. Mohamed Garali.
Head Coach: Danie de Villiers

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/qualifying/news/newsid=2034333.html#unbelievable+price+awaits+african+qualifier, and thanks to ‘Quentin’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3279

International Test Rugby Results for 27 June

27.06.2009
South Africa 28, British and Irish Lions 25 in Pretoria (2nd test)
New Zealand 27, Italy 6 in Christchurch
Australia 22, France 6 in Sydney
Japan 21,Tonga 19 in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)
Fiji 19, Samoa 14 in Lautoka (Pacific Nations Cup)
Tunisia 38, Uganda 13 in Tunis (WCQ Africa R2, SF: Africa Cup SF)-result TBC
Namibia 54, Ivory Coast 14 in Windhoek (WCQ Africa R2: Africa Cup SF)
Papua New Guinea 86, Vanuatu 12 in Port Moresby (WCQ Oceania R1, SF 1)
Cook Islands 29, Niue 7 in Pukekohe, NZ (WCQ Oceania R1, SF 2)

Test Match Rugby: Ugandans have an Uphill Battle

27.06.2009
Uganda v Tunisia in Tunis (WCQ Africa R2 SF; Africa Cup SF)


Venue: Stade El Menzah stadium

Preview
After their heavy loss at home to Tunisia two weeks ago, the Ugandans have the difficult task of travelling to Tunisia and having to win by 25 points to proceed to the African final. It would seem a huge, almost impossible, task. To add to their problems the Ugandans will be withuout their captain John Musoke, out with an injury.


Previous Encounter
The 41-17 win to Tunisia was the first ever encounter between these two teams.


GWC Rugby Rankings: Africa Table-Tunisia 5th, Uganda 6th

Prediction: Tunisia too strong at home, to win by 48 points.

Teams

Neither team's list is available at present.