NEW ZEALAND v NAMIBIA: World Cup Pool C

25.09.2015

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Venue: The Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London

Pool Standings

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	TF	TA	BP	PT
NEW ZEALAND	1	1	0	0	26	16	10	2	1	0	4
GEORGIA	1	1	0	0	17	10	7	2	1	0	4
TONGA	1	0	0	1	10	17	-7	1	2	1	1
ARGENTINA	1	0	0	1	16	26	-10	1	2	0	0
NAMIBIA	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

Preview
The highest ranked team at this tournament meets the lowest. The result could be a cricket score. But I think not. That New Zealand will win is without a doubt but two factors will contribute to the score being large but not a century.

Firstly, Namibia has improved considerably since the last World Cup. They were never humiliated in 2011 but despite a largely semi-professional side they have certainly put in the hard work this year. They have played nine tests leading up to this tournament.

Secondly, New Zealand will start with a second XV look. Combinations wont be as crisp and they have a new captain for the day, Sam Cane. However, the bench includes three test centurions who could well create a nightmare late in the game if ‘things go wrong’ which they wont.

Last Five Encounters
These two teams have never met before in a test match.

Previous World Cups
These two teams have never met before at a World Cup.

New Zealand Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1 
20.09.2015 v Argentina W 26-16 in London (World Cup, Pool C)
15.08.2015 v Australia W 41-13 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup)
08.08.2015 v Australia L 19-27 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Champ.)25.07.2015 v South Africa W 27-20 in Johannesburg (Rugby Championship)17.07.2015 v Argentina W 39-18 in Christchurch (Rugby Championship)

Namibia Last Five P 5, W 4, L 1
15.08.2015 v Zimbabwe W 80-6 in Windhoek (Africa Cup 1A)
08.08.2015 v Kenya W 46-13 in Windhoek (Africa Cup 1A)
18.07.2015 v Russia W 43-5 in Windhoek
11.07.2015 v Russia W 39-19 in Windhoek
21.06.2015 v Spain L 3-20 in Bucharest (World Rugby Nations Cup)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: New Zealand 5th, Namibia 18th

World Rugby Ranking Points
New Zealand 92.89, Namibia 61.85

Prediction: New Zealand by 71 points. Score 86-15

TEAMS

New Zealand
15 Colin Slade, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito,
7 Sam Cane (Capt.), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano,
3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Benjamin Franks.
Replacements
16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Tony Woodcock, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Richie McCaw, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Ma'a Nonu, 23 Benjamin Smith.
Head Coach: Steve Hansen

Namibia
15 Johan Tromp, 14 David Philander, 13 JC Greyling, 12 Johan Deysel,
11 Conrad Marais, 10 Theuns Kotzè, 9 Eugene Jantjies, 8 Leneve Damens,
7 Tinus du Plessis, 6 Jacques Burger (Capt.), 5 Pieter-Jan van Lill, 4 Tjiuee Uanivi, 3 Johannes Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Jaco Engels.
Replacements
16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Casper Viviers, 18 Raoul Larson, 19 Renaldo Bothma, 20 Janco Venter, 21 Rohan Kitshoff, 22 Eneill Buitendag,
23 Chrysander Botha.
Head Coach: Phil Davies