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It was a disappointing start to the World Rugby u20 Trophy tournament for Canada on Tuesday as they fell to Namibia by a 31-16 score in Montevideo. Wet weather severely affected the ability of either team to play a wide game, with torrential rain falling for much of the second half.
The Namibian game plan of kicking to the corners and using their powerful forwards to drive it forward proved ideal for the conditions and it was the rolling maul that yielded their greatest success. Obert Nortje was on the bottom of the first as the Canadians had no answer for the strength and cohesion of the drive. Cliven Loubser’s conversion made it a full seven.
A line break down the left side and a give-and-go between Nortje and PW Steenkamp saw the fullback touch down next, but Canada at least found a reply. After playing their way into scoring position Lachlan Currie piled over from short range to get the Maple leafs back in the game, with a penalty kick from Will Kelly making the score 12-8 at the break.
There would be no comeback, however, as the conditions worsened significantly in the second half and the combination of Loubser’s tactical kicking and his forwards’ dominance brought three tries for Namibia to one for Canada. The maul worked like clockwork with Prince Gaoseb and Brandon Groenewald each touching down from concerted drives.
Kelly would add a second penalty and Jake Thiel grabbed a consolation try, a long-range effort after busting through the line from a quick-tap penalty. The Namibians had the final say, however, with replacement prop Patrick Schickerling muscling over to bring up full-time.
Aside from the disappointment of the result Canada will also be concerned after losing starting wingers Anton Ngongo and Cole Davis to injury. They will hope to have one or both fit in time for their match against Japan on Saturday. Namibia look ahead to Chile after a strong start to their campaign.
SCORING
NAMIBIA 31
Tries – O. Nortje (9’), P. Steenkamp (21’), P. Gaoseb (50’), B. Groenewald (63’), P. Schickerling (80’)
Cons – C. Loubser 3/5 (10’, 51’, 80’)
CANADA 16
Tries – L. Currie (26’), Ja. Thiel (72’)
Cons – W. Kelly 0/2
Pens – W. Kelly 2/2 (35’, 59’)
Yellow cards – G. Barton (49’), Ja. Thiel (79’)
TEAMS
NAMIBIA
1 Andre Rademeyer, 2 Obert Nortje, 3 Nelius Theron, 4 Adriaan Ludick, 5 LeBeau du Preez, 6 Peter Diergaardt, 7 Prince Gaoseb (capt.), 8 Riaan de Klerk, 9 Wihan von Wielligh, 10 Cliven Loubser, 11 Luke Jansen, 12 Tristan Mouton, 13 Brandon Groenewald, 14 Collins Omalu, 15 PW Steenkamp
Replacements: 16 JT Basson, 17 Patrick Schickerling, 18 Rheinhardt Carelse, 19 Oderich Mouton, 20 JC Olivier, 21 Alastair Miller, 22 Andre van der Berg
CANADA
1 Liam Murray, 2 Dewald Kotze, 3 Cole Keith, 4 Liam Doll, 5 Matt Beukeboom, 6 Lachlan Currie, 7 James O’Neill, 8 Jake Thiel, 9 Fraser Hurst, 10 Will Kelly, 11 Cole Davis, 12 Josh Thiel, 13 George Barton (capt.), 14 Anton Ngongo, 15 Aidan McMullan
Replacements: 16 Jack McRogers, 17 Connor Sampson, 18 Nick Frost, 19 Jamie McNaughton, 20 William McDougall-Percillier, 21 Brennig Prevost, 22 Niko Clironomos
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Maxime Burlet (FBRB)
Assistants: Tornike Gvirjishvili (GRU) & Ionut Bodea (FRR)
