RWC Pool B Preview – Namibia vs New Zealand

Reigning RWC champions New Zealand will look for their third win of RWC 2019 when they take-on Namibia in Tokyo on Sunday. The Africans fell to Italy and South Africa in opening losses and have to get through this match before focussing on their target of a win against Canada.

Against New Zealand Head Coach Phil Davies has retained the services of Darryl De La Harpe though Cliven Loubser has been ruled out through injury.

Johan Deysel is back in the line-up and will captain the side from inside center. There are eight other changes from the team that lost 57-3 against South Africa. Retained from that match are lock Tjiuee Uanivi, winger JC Greyling, and fullback Johan Tromp.

The big news from a New Zealand perspective is the inclusion of Brodie Retallick. He will play his first game of the tournament, partnering Sam Whitlock in the second-row.

There are 11 other changes to the line-up as Head Coach Steve Hansen has rested many including Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett. This leaves flanker Shannon Frizell; fullback Jordie Barrett; and center Jack Goodhue as the retained players from the win over Canada.

For Namibia Jordie Barrett moves from wing to fly half. The match is to be his first in the position at international level. The move enables George Bridge and Sevu Reece to start on the wings and Ben Smith at fullback.

There has been one prior match between New Zealand and Namibia. It was also a Rugby World Cup fixture with New Zealand winning 58-14 in London at RWC 2015. The scoreline on that occasion saw Namibia being praised and New Zealand deemed to have underperformed. A win in Tokyo is expected by a margin over over 65 points.

 

TEAMS

NAMIBIA
1. Andre Rademeyer, 2 Torsten Van Jaarsveld, 3 AJ De Klerk, 4 PJ Van Lill, 5 Tjiuee Uanivi, 6 Prince Gaoseb, 7 Thomasau Forbes, 8 Janco Venter, 9 Damian Stevens, 10 Helarius Kisting, 11 JC Greyling, 12 Johan Deysel (capt.), 13 Justin Newman, 14 Lesley Klim, 15 Johan Tromp

Replacements: 16 Obert Nortje, 17 Nelius Theron, 18 Johannes Coetzee, 19 Johan Retief, 20 Adriaan Booysen, 21 Eugene Jantjies, 22 Darryl De La Harpe, 23 Janry du Toit

NEW ZEALAND
1 Joe Moody, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Nepo Laulala, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock (capt.), 6 Shannon Frizell, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Ardie Savea, 9 Aaron Smith, 10 Jordie Barrett, 11 George Bridge, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 13 Jack Goodhue, 14 Sevu Reece, 15 Ben Smith

Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Angus Ta’avao ,19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Brad Weber, 22 TJ Perenara, 23 Rieko Ioane

Date: Sunday, October 06
Kick-Off: 13:45 local (Saturday 21:45 Pacific, 12:45 Eastern, 01:45 Rio de la Plata)
Venue: Tokyo Stadium, Tokyo
Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistants: Shuhei Kobo (Japan), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)