The Match
Good Morning GAGRs, Reds and Wallabies Fan right here, serving to out as a visitor author for the World Cup.
Welcome to the match evaluate for Italy vs Namibia, which was the second recreation of Rugby World Cup 2023, performed at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne within the afternoon solar.
These groups have extra historical past than I anticipated, and within the 4 earlier encounters, the honours had been break up 2 every, together with Namibia profitable a house sequence in opposition to Italy in 1991.
Italy entered the sport as favourites, because the 13th ranked crew, in comparison with Namibia in 21st place, and with some good latest type having crushed Australian for the primary time in 2022, and dishing up Japan within the warm-up video games. Italy wanted to win this recreation to maintain their dream of qualifying for the quarter finals alive.
Namibia have been to the world cup 6 instances and are but to report a win within the match, however hey did push Eire in 2007, and misplaced by a single level to Georgia in 2015. Their match in opposition to Canada in 2019 was deserted resulting from Storm Hagibis.
Namibia has an Australian connection, with Richard Hardwick lining up at Quantity 8.
Each groups had every part to play for within the warmth at Saint-Étienne, it was 32 levels at kick off.
First Half
Italy went into half time with a 17 factors to eight lead courtesy of two tries and a penalty.
It wasn’t all a method visitors although, Namibia actually turned as much as take a look at the Italians, with a yellow card to the Namibian hooker Torsten Van Jaarsveld being the important thing distinction between the 2 groups. In his absence Italy scored two tries, one from a rolling maul, the second from an overthrown Namibian lineout that went to Paolo Garbisi to run 30 metres to the road.
Each groups tried to play attacking rugby all through the primary half regardless of the warmth, and Namibia’s sole attempt for the match was properly earned within the nook.
Second Half
Each groups continued to run the ball and assault within the second half, and it was fairly even till 70 minutes with Italy scoring 2 tries, one from a maul, and one spectacular attempt to Capuozza within the left hand nook after they uncovered the extensive defence of Namibia from inside their very own half.
Capuozza scoring after a 60 metre motion within the second half. Supply, Display screen seize from television protection.
Namibia did have probabilities within the second half, and spent the very best a part of ten minutes attacking the Italian line, earlier than one other dealing with error let Italy off the hook with 10 minutes left to play. It was 31-8 to Italy at that stage, after which the sport actually opened up.
Italy, really each groups, actually threw the ball round within the final 10 minutes and Italy scored 3 late tries displaying some nice expertise, tempo, and willingness to maintain operating and supporting one another.
In the end, the rating line of 52-8 flattered the Italians a bit, and it was nice to see a a lot improved Namibia play an entertaining recreation of rugby.
The Sport Changer
Within the first half, the yellow card to the Namibian hooker left them quick for the primary attempt to had the quantity 8 over throwing the lineout for an Italian attempt.
Within the second half, it was the health and polish of the Italians to run away with late tries.
The Man of the Match/Standout Participant
I’ve to agree with Joel Stransky on the person of the match, Lorenzo Cannone was excellent for the Italians.
A lot to love concerning the Namibian crew, together with the flyhalf Swanepoel, who seemed composed and has a monster kick.
The Particulars
Italy: 52
Tries: 7
Conversions: 7
Penalties: 1
Namibia: 8
Tries: 1
Conversions: 0
Penalties: 1
