Namibia finish sixth in Hong Kong 

NAMIBIA finished sixth overall at the Junior World Rugby Trophy in Hong Kong on Saturday after losing the fifth place play-off 46-17 against Georgia. 

Georgia scored four tries while their flyhalf Revaz Jinchvelashvili had a great day with the boot, scoring six penalties and four conversions for a personal haul of 24 points. 

Namibia launched a late rally in the second half with centre Handre Bezuidenhout scoring two tries, but by then Georgia were well in control as they wrapped up a comfortable victory. 

Georgia took an early lead through a try by eighthman Vakhtang Amiranashvili, converted by Jinchvelashvili, who added a penalty as they took a 10-0 lead after 15 minutes. 

Georgia centre Giorgi Talakhadze touched down for their second try after a great offload by Amiranashvili and with Jinchvelashvili adding the conversion, they went 17-0 up after 20 minutes. 

Georgia tightened their grip of the match, forcing Namibia into errors and three more penalties by Jinchvelashvili gave them a 26-0 lead at halftime. 

Namibia opened their account in the second half through a drop goal by flyhalf Malan Kruger and when centre Handre Bezuidenhout broke through for a converted try, they reduced the deficit to 26-10. 

Georgia, however, struck back through a converted try by wing Murazi Giorgadze, but Bezuidenhout once again scored a converted try to make the score 33-17. 

Georgia finished stronger as Jinchvelashvili added two penalties and converted replacement back Davit Papavadze’s try to run out 46-17 victors. 

Japan went on to win the Junior World Rugby Trophy after beating Tonga 35-10 in the final. The United States finished third after beating Uruguay 26-25, while Canada beat Hong Kong 33-30 to finish seventh. 

It was the first time that Japan had won the Junior World Rugby Trophy after losing the final three times before between 2010 and 2012. 

But it was fourth time lucky as Tonga failed to come to terms with the 100 miles an hour game of the Asian champions, whose defence also stood firm as they leaked only one try and that coming late in the game.

The Japanese, orchestrated superbly by half-backs Genki Okoshi and captain Rikiya Matsuda, scored four tries, including a penalty try, as they emerged triumphant at the Junior World Rugby Trophy for the first time.

The victory means that Japan will take their place alongside the world’s top Under 20 teams next year for the first time since they dropped out of the Junior World Championship back in 2009.

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