Namibia scares Ireland

THE Namibian rugby side proved too rigid for Ireland by giving a spirited performance, which silenced most critics who thought the Six Nations triple champions would run holes into the World Cup minnows.

Two tries in three minutes stunned commentators and rugby analysts, but most significant was the way the Namibian players fought for possession and their determined tackles which had the Irish in tatters. Despite the match ending in a 37-17 win for the Ireland, Namibia received praise for their performance which saw the inexperienced side, which at one stage were dubbed “a bunch of amateurs” by an Irish commentator, giving in a solid performance.It was Namibia’s best performance in their three years of participation at the competition, a match which was largely marred by basic errors by the Irish.Despite a ticket scandal that rocked the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) just after the team had left for France, it is reported that the players were focused and not distracted by the ongoing debacle.Namibia, who have only five professional and two semi-professional players, proved disciplined in defence and tough to break down.And in the second period they grew in confidence and managed two tries.”On the day we played brilliantly.It’s not a win but it could have been a win.I’m very proud of the guys.Good luck to the Irish but I’m very proud of my players,” AFP quoted Namibian coach Hakkies Husselman as saying.His captain Kees Lensing, one of the few professional players in the team, was also ecstatic.”I’m really proud of my players, we played really as a team, we showed a lot of commitment.The whole team put their bodies on the line,” he said.Lensing thanked the French supporters for rallying behind the Namibian team.Namibia next face France on Sunday.Despite the match ending in a 37-17 win for the Ireland, Namibia received praise for their performance which saw the inexperienced side, which at one stage were dubbed “a bunch of amateurs” by an Irish commentator, giving in a solid performance.It was Namibia’s best performance in their three years of participation at the competition, a match which was largely marred by basic errors by the Irish.Despite a ticket scandal that rocked the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) just after the team had left for France, it is reported that the players were focused and not distracted by the ongoing debacle.Namibia, who have only five professional and two semi-professional players, proved disciplined in defence and tough to break down.And in the second period they grew in confidence and managed two tries.”On the day we played brilliantly.It’s not a win but it could have been a win.I’m very proud of the guys.Good luck to the Irish but I’m very proud of my players,” AFP quoted Namibian coach Hakkies Husselman as saying.His captain Kees Lensing, one of the few professional players in the team, was also ecstatic.”I’m really proud of my players, we played really as a team, we showed a lot of commitment.The whole team put their bodies on the line,” he said.Lensing thanked the French supporters for rallying behind the Namibian team.Namibia next face France on Sunday.