WORLD CUP PREVIEW: Namibia
POOL B SPOTLIGHT: Rank outsiders Namibia hope Welsh coaches can help them end a 19-match losing streak since debuting in the Rugby World Cup 20 years ago.
Former Wales forward Phil Davies has been in charge of a team known as the Welwitschias – a sturdy desert plant – since just before the last World Cup in 2015.
Under him, Namibia came closest to ending the five-tournament horror run, losing by just one point to Georgia in England.
He has since hired compatriots Mark Jones (backs) and Dale McIntosh (forwards) as assistant coaches and another Welshman, Wayne Proctor, is responsible for strength and conditioning.
“This is not a case of jobs for the ‘boyos'” Davies stressed.
“They are used to working with full-time and part-time professionals and that is what we have in the Namibian squad,”
Damage control exercises loom against Italy, defending champions New Zealand and South Africa in Pool B, so Namibia are pinning hopes of a historic triumph on the final match against Canada.
Although the Canadians gave the Namibians a 61-point hiding in a previous World Cup, they were ranked 21st as of September 2, only two places above the Africans.
Scrumhalf Eugene Jantjies is set to play at a fourth consecutive World Cup and says the Welwitschias’ aim continues to be finding a winning formula.
“This is the best squad we have had for many years and after coming so close to winning four years ago, I believe we can create history in Japan,” he said.
*Story continues below…
https://youtu.be/iYnqXDVHmN0
Player to watch:
Cliven Loubser has been the first choice fly-half since scoring a try and kicking three conversions against Kenya in his debut appearance two years ago.
Aim for the tournament:
“Namibia want to create history in Japan by winning a World Cup
match for the first time,” coach Phil Davies
Factfile:
Population: 2.5 million
Capital: Windhoek
Coach: Phil Davies (Wales/since 2015)
Registered players: 9,320
World Rugby ranking: 23 (September 9, 2019)
World Cup past record:
1999: Pool
2003: Pool
2007: Pool
2011: Pool
2015: Pool
Prepped for training ahead of Namibia’s first match against Italy (22 Sep 2019) in Japan.#TrainingWeek#RWC2019#NAMvITA pic.twitter.com/iuv6NMVhdw
— Namibia Rugby (@namibia_rugby) September 15, 2019
Pool matches (all times GMT):
Namibia v Italy
Date: September 22
Venue: Osaka
Kick-off: 05.15
Namibia v South Africa
Date: September 28
Venue: Toyata City
Kick-off: 09.45
Namibia v New Zealand
Date: October 6
Venue: Tokyo
Kick-off: 04.45
Namibia v Canada
Date: October 13
Venue: Kamaishi
Kick-off: 03.15
Squad
Backs: Helarius Kisting (Baia Mare/ROM), Lesley Klim (Ospreys/WAL), PJ Walters (Welwitschias), Chad Plato (Welwitschias), Johann Tromp (Welwitschias), Darryl de la Harpe (Welwitschias), Johan Deysel (Colomiers/FRA, captain), JC Greyling (Welwitschias), Justin Newman (Welwitschias), Janry du Toit (Welwitschias), Cliven Loubser
(Welwitschias), Eugene Jantjies (Welwitschias), Damian Stevens (Boland Cavaliers)
Forwards: Obert Nortje (Welwitschias), Louis van der Westhuizen (Welwitschias), Torsten van Jaarsveld (Bayonne), Aranos Coetzee (Free State Cheetahs), AJ de Klerk (Welwitschias), André Rademeyer (Welwitschias), Desiderius Sethie (Welwitschias), Nelius Theron, (Leopards), Johan Retief (Leopards), Tjiuee Uanivi (Massy), PJ van Lill (Bayonne), Adriaan Booysen (Welwitschias), Wian Conradie (Welwitschias), Thomasau Forbes (Welwitschias), Prince Gaoseb (Welwitschias), Max Katjijeko (Welwitschias), Rohan Kitshoff (Welwitschias), Janco Venter (Jersey Reds)
*For all the team previews, visit our WORLD CUP section!
Welcomed and Capped in Kamitonda Japan 🇯🇵#ThankYouKamitonda pic.twitter.com/bYxbDqGk3x
— Namibia Rugby (@namibia_rugby) September 14, 2019
