Preview: Namibia v New Zealand

You have to be careful with what you say after the massive surprise after Japan's victory over the Springboks last Saturday, but it's hard to see the men from Namibia making an impact on the mighty All Blacks.

It is even more of a David versus Goliath game than the match between Japan and South Africa, for the team ranked 20th, the lowest ranked side at the World Cup, is to face the team ranked No.1.

Even if all the flowing sands of the Namibia Desert translocated to London's Olympic Park it is hard to believe that they will be enough to clog up the New Zealand machine, even if New Zealand have picked their second team, even if it is just three days since their tough encounter against Argentina.

In any case there are only three players who started against the Pumas back to face the Biltong Boere – wings Nehe Milner-Skudder and Julian Savea and lock Sam Whitelock.

They even have a debutant captain in flank Sam Cane, who was a replacement against the Pumas and ran in for an important try late in the match.

Cane, a 23-year-old from the Waikato, made his All Black debut in 2012.

There is a vast difference in experience – between playing Super Rugby and playing Vodacom Cup.

Namibia have been to three World Cups, New Zealand to seven. Namibia have not won a match, New Zealand have won two titles.

Players to watch:

For New Zealand: All the New Zealand backs – all fast, skilful players with strong threequarters. You would especially want to watch centres Malakai Fekitoa and Sonny Bill Williams, and the speed and vision of Beauden Barrett could have the Namibians rattled. It is, too, a strong, experienced pack of forwards, hardened in Super Rugby. You may especially want to watch lively Victor Vito and earnest Sam Whitelock.

For Namibia: There is inside centre John Deysel and flyhalf Theuns Kotzé. In the pack there is the captain, the best-known and most obvious Namibian player, the warrior Jacques Burger who has overseas experience, especially with Saracens. He and flank Tinus du Plessis are the two players most likely to trouble the All Blacks.

Head to Head: There is always the battle of the props and the bantam skirmishes between the scrumhalves and there could be an unyielding confrontation between Liam Messam and Jacques Burger.

Previous results: There are no matches between the two but the calibre of recent opposition speaks volumes. In their seven matches before the World Cup this year Namibia have not played against a single team at the World Cup. They have beaten Tunisia, Russia (twice), Kenya and Zimbabwe and lost to Romania and Spain. In every one of their eight matches this year New Zealand have played against teams at the World Cup, beating Australia, South Africa, Argentina, Samoa, the USA, England and Canada and losing to Australia.

Prediction: Japan notwithstanding, the All Blacks will/should/are expected to win this by over 50 points, but what a wonderful chance for the men from Windhoek and round about to face up to this great side. Expect an enthusiastic, well-mannered match.

Teams

Namibia: 15 Johan Tromp, 14 David Philander, 13 JC Greyling, 12 Johan Deysel, 11 Conrad Marais, 10 Theuns Kotzé, 9 Eugene Jantjies, 8 Leneve Damens, 7 Tinus du Plessis, 6 Jacques Burger (captain), 5 Pieter-Jan van Lill, 4 Tjiuee Uanivi, 3 Johannes Coetzee, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Jaco Engels.

Replacements: 16 Louis van der Westhuizen, 17 Casper Viviers, 18 Raoul Larson, 19 Renaldo Bothma, 20 Janco Venter, 21 Rohan Kitshoff, 22 Eneill Buitendag, 23 Chrysander Botha.

New Zealand: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ben Franks.

Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Tony Woodcock, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Richie McCaw, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Ma'a Nonu, 23 Ben Smith.

Date: Thursday, 24 September 2015

Venue: Olympic Park, London

Kick-off: 20.00 (19.00 GMT; 21.00 Namibian time; 06.00 Friday, September 25 NZ time)

Expected weather: Partly cloudy with a chance of rain, a high of 17°C, dropping to 8°C

Referee: Romain Poite (France)                

Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa), Mathieu Raynal (France)             

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

By Paul Dobson

@rugby365com