VIBE
Given Namibia and New Zealand have never played a Test match prior to this, it was always going to be difficult to pick a winner, especially with Namibia not yet having played a match in the tournament.
This didn’t stop the crowd of 51,820, who happily backed the Africans throughout, even though the ABs had finished their heavy lifting and gained the bonus point by half-time, the quickest in the tournament so far.
The second half was pedestrian, with Namibia giving a master-class in how to slow down play and suck momentum from their stronger opposition, and the ABs falling for it hook, line and sinker. Had Richie, rather than Sam Cane, been captain, things may have been a little different.
The ABs won, grabbed their bonus point and avoided any known injuries, but were otherwise somnolent. Namibia fought hard, stood up in defence, and gave the crowd something to cheer about.
SCORE
New Zealand 58 (Vito, Milner-Skudder (2), Fekitoa, Barrett, Savea (2), Ben Smith, Taylor tries; Barrett 5 conversions, penalty goal)
Namibia 14 (Deysel try; Kotze 3 penalty goals)
Half time 34-6
INCIDENTS OF NOTE
Not so surprising fact – Julian Savea has now scored 32 tries in 37 Tests – watch out Campo!
Surprising fact – Richie coming off the bench meant he eclipsed Sean Fitzpatrick’s record for NZ RWC appearances. Surprising because it took so long, and he’s still five short of Jason Leonard’s all time RWC record.
Only one yellow card, against Namibia’s loose head Engels, for a cynical slap of the ball as the ABs dug it out of a ruck when red hot in attack in the red zone. This in turn triggered a chaotic Namibian merry-go-round at each scrum, with the front-rowers having more partners than a teenager on his first Contiki tour.
Barrett kicked six from ten. Won’t help his selection chances.
Namibia’s try brought down the house.
Hard to pick a MOTM, as no-one really stood out for the duration (e.g. SBW was subbed early). In the end, NMS took the chocolates, but it could so easily have gone to one of the Namibian loose forwards, who were tireless and busy.
FEAST YOUR EYES
SBW gave an off-loading master-class – his best effort in ages. Sure, the opposition was not top tier, but Namibia’s defence was willing.
Sam Cane was busy, but also gave away too many penalties. Needed to do more as skipper.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Poite was again presented with a scrum mismatch, and probably should have given the ABs a few more penalties. That said, he also provided Namibia with relief when they earned it. TMO had some involvement, but common sense prevailed (it was our very own Georgie Ayoub). If anything, Poite probably could have managed the speed of the game better.
SHOULD I BOTHER WATCHING IT?
One for the All Black tragics, or any Bok fan still waiting to see their shrink.
