End of a golden era 

Namibia failed to qualify for the Rugby World Cup for the first time in 27 years when they lost 26-8 to Samoa at the final Rugby World Cup qualifier in Dubai.

Namibia have qualified for seven successive world cups since 1998, but will not return to the global spectacle, while Africa will be represented by world champions South Africa and the African champions Zimbabwe.

Samoa and Belgium will battle it out for the 24th and final spot at Australia 2027 in their final group match tomorrow, while Namibia take on Brazil in a dead rubber.

Samoa were just too classy against Namibia, running in four tries before conceding a late consolation try by winger Jay Cee Nel.

Namibia once again got off to a slow start as Samoa scrumhalf Jonathan Taumateine dotted down in the first minute after a slick backline attack, with fullback Jacob Umaga converting, while another converted try by rightwing Va’afauese Maliko made it 14-0 within 10 minutes.

Namibia tried hard to get back into the game with captain Louis van der Westhuizen winning some great turnovers, but they could not round off their opportunities, while Samoa defended resolutely. Samoa were also more inventive in attack, and added a third try after 25 minutes when wing Latrell Ah-Kiong went over in the corner.

Namibia were quite unfortunate, though, as a high tackle on Nel in the build-up was not penalised, and although Umaga missed the conversion, they were well in control with a 19-0 lead.

Namibia finally opened their account when flyhalf Cliven Loubser put over a penalty early in the second half, but Samoa went further ahead when flanker Alamanda Motuga rounded off a forward maul to the line, and with Umaga putting over a great conversion from touch they took an unbeatable 26-3 lead.

Nel scored a late consolation try for Namibia after a cross-kick by Johan Deysel, but it was too little too late as Samoa sealed a convincing win.

Namibia coach Pieter Rossouw was pleased with the overall performance of his team.

“We are very happy with the commitment and the effort the guys showed today. We were a lot more physical in the contact, which wasn’t that great the other day against Belgium, and I think we played the right game plan. We just couldn’t keep the ball for long enough in our phases to put pressure on attack.

“But I’m very happy tactically, and we finished really strong in the second half,” he said after the match.

Namibia’s failure to qualify for an eighth successive world cup brings to an end a remarkable run in which they had punched well above their weight on the world stage, considering they only have about 2 000 registered players and less than 20 clubs.

Samoa have more than double that and about 80 clubs, while Namibia’s opponents tomorrow, Brazil, is one of the fastest-growing rugby nations in the world with more than 60 000 players and 300 clubs.

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