U-19s face Italy at Rugby World Cup

By: CORRY IHUHUA

THE Namibian under-19 rugby team will be in for a treat as they are expected to face a physical Italian side in their next match in the IRB Under-19 World Cup in Durban, South Africa on Saturday.

The Namibian youngsters have so far won one and drawn one match in

their campaign, and are poised to upset the Italians, according to

their team manager, Gabriel Tjombe.

The Namibians beat Spain 49-5 in their opening match on Friday

last week and settled to a 20-all draw against the United States on

Tuesday.

 

Tjombe told The Namibian Sport from Durban yesterday that the

Italians were a physical side, but they will employ different

tactics to keep them at bay.

 

Italy mauled Paraguay 91-0 in their last match on Tuesday, but

lost to Tonga in their opening match.

 

Tjombe says the match is a must-win, as they need a win to

qualify for the semi-finals.

 

Namibia are currently lying third in the Group B table and have

garnered seven points from their one win and a draw.

 

They have scored 10 tries and only conceded three in their two

matches.

 

Tjombe said they are planning to have a running game against the

Italians on Saturday.

 

The match will be played at the Woodburn Stadium and starts at

12h45 Namibian time.

 

Tjombe, who has been with the team for more than two years now,

was also worried about five players who have picked up injuries in

their two encounters.

 

He said Pieter Nel has been ruled out of the entire tournament

because of a serious ankle injury, while Wimpie Nel is recovering

from a concussion.

 

Three other players are recovering from minor injuries, but he

believes they will be back in action on Saturday.

 

Samoa tops Group B with 10 points, while Tonga lies second with

nine points.

 

Both nations have won their opening matches, but Samoa has nine

tries, compared to seven by Tonga.

 

The South African 'Baby Boks' are leading Group A with 10

points, but are sharing similar points with England, who also won

their two matches but with fewer tries.

 

England has scored 11 tries, compared to South Africa, which has

scored 13.

 

The Namibians beat Spain 49-5 in their opening match on Friday last

week and settled to a 20-all draw against the United States on

Tuesday. Tjombe told The Namibian Sport from Durban yesterday that

the Italians were a physical side, but they will employ different

tactics to keep them at bay.Italy mauled Paraguay 91-0 in their

last match on Tuesday, but lost to Tonga in their opening

match.Tjombe says the match is a must-win, as they need a win to

qualify for the semi-finals.Namibia are currently lying third in

the Group B table and have garnered seven points from their one win

and a draw.They have scored 10 tries and only conceded three in

their two matches.Tjombe said they are planning to have a running

game against the Italians on Saturday.The match will be played at

the Woodburn Stadium and starts at 12h45 Namibian time.Tjombe, who

has been with the team for more than two years now, was also

worried about five players who have picked up injuries in their two

encounters.He said Pieter Nel has been ruled out of the entire

tournament because of a serious ankle injury, while Wimpie Nel is

recovering from a concussion.Three other players are recovering

from minor injuries, but he believes they will be back in action on

Saturday.Samoa tops Group B with 10 points, while Tonga lies second

with nine points.Both nations have won their opening matches, but

Samoa has nine tries, compared to seven by Tonga.The South African

'Baby Boks' are leading Group A with 10 points, but are sharing

similar points with England, who also won their two matches but

with fewer tries.England has scored 11 tries, compared to South

Africa, which has scored 13.

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