Namibia coach vows to Haka
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Namibia’s defence coach has vowed to perform an All Black-style haka if his team manages to upset Six Nations side Italy in their Pool B encounter on Sunday.
Dale McIntosh was asked how he would celebrate a win for his side, the lowest-ranked at the Rugby World Cup at 23.
“I’m Maori but I’m an adopted Welshman so I can give a waiata [Maori song] or I can give a hymn. And I’m not bad at them. If we beat Italy on Sunday you’ll certainly see the haka later that night,” he joked.
Namibia are aiming for their first-ever World Cup win in this year’s edition. Until now, their record is played 19, lost 19.
Along the way, there have been some drubbings, including a 142-0 defeat to the Wallabies in 2003 – the biggest margin of defeat at the Rugby World Cup and an 87-0 thrashing by the Springboks eight years later.
McIntosh said the team was “fed up” with being World Cup whipping boys but said the “process” was more important than the result.
The boytjies rock op for training today at a rather cloudy Kamitonda Sports Complex 💪🏽 pic.twitter.com/MazUWv8Gg4
— Namibia Rugby (@namibia_rugby) September 18, 2019
“If Italy beat us by 90 points I won’t be disappointed as long as the boys give it their all,” said McIntosh.
“People can have their preconceptions of Namibia but we are a different animal to what we used to be. We are better and these boys are a passionate bunch of lads. We’ll give it our best shot.”
Namibia’s tournament does not get any easier after playing Italy, as the mighty All Blacks and fellow Webb Ellis contenders South Africa are also in their pool.
Head coach Phil Davies will be targeting a result against Canada who are only one place above them in the World Rugby pecking order.
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