Namibia mauls Madagascar

NAMIBIA’S national rugby side posted an emphatic 55-17 victory over Madagascar in their Confederation of Africa Cup group match at the Hage Geingob Stadium on Saturday.

Although the match attracted only a few hundred rugby enthusiasts, the relatively young Namibian side proved critics wrong by dishing out marvellous running rugby on a rather windy afternoon. Namibia led 31-0 at halftime and at that stage were convinced that they could wrap up the game with ease in the second half.At least six players made their debut on the day, but inexperience crept in towards the end of the game as Madagascar were rewarded with three quick tries as Namibia were losing their composure.Match fitness was another key factor that hampered the Namibians, as some players started committing knock-ons and at times failed to tackle their opponents.The young players had pace, however, and the backs proved this by running through tackles in their attempts to put points on the scoreboard.Under instruction from coach Christo Alaxander not to kick possession away, the Namibian players, with Heino Senekal as the captain, restored some credibility in the game.The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) is under investigation by the Namibia Sports Commission (NRU) for some financial irregularities and allegations of racism.Assistant coach Jakkals Pretorius said although there were several handling errors, he believed the team did well considering that they had not played together as a team for long.He said the core of the team that played on Saturday would make up the squad that will represent Namibia in the Vodacom Cup in South Africa next year.Pretorius said Namibia had a lot of young promising players who could make it far in the game.Madagascar’s coach, Christian Adriantsilavo, said his players tried their best, but the Namibians were superior in many respects.He said the Namibians had technical superiority and played with a purpose, while his players, who were also young and inexperienced, were heavily exposed as they lost many tackles and kicked possession away.Winger Melrick Afrika opened the scoring for Namibia in the 11th minute with a well-worked try emanating from a Regardt Kruger pass at scrumhalf to flyhalf Jacky Bock just metres away from the try-line.Afrika burst through a wall of Madagascan backs to dot down for the try, which was converted by Bock to take the lead.A few minutes later, Bock missed a penalty from about a metre from the centre-line in the opposition’s half.Veteran winger Deon Mouton scored the second try for Namibia after sloppy defending by the visitors.Bock converted to push the score to 17-0, but Johan Wohler also had plans to cross the line as he dived for Namibia’s third by forcing his large frame over after great support from his team mates during a maul.A conversion by Bock brought the score to 24-0.Bock, who proved to be a valuable asset at flyhalf, landed the fourth try, which he also converted, deep into the first half to make it 31-0 before the break.The floodgates opened in the second half as Heiki Amakali, Duan Spannenberg, Phillip Meyer, Heini Bock and Desmond Snyders all scored tries.Madagascar’s Mboazafy Rakotoarivelo and Hermann Randrianiana scored consolation tries for their side in the last quarter of the match.Rakotoarivelo converted one try and also slotted through a beautiful and well-timed drop kick.Scrumhalf Antonio Rakotozanany failed to score a clear try as he left it too late by virtually knocking the ball down as he was running out of space within the scoring area.The referees did not award the try.Spannenberg was named man of the match and walked away with a cheque of N$500.Namibia will face Ivory Coast in their second match later this month, on a date still to be confirmed.Namibia led 31-0 at halftime and at that stage were convinced that they could wrap up the game with ease in the second half.At least six players made their debut on the day, but inexperience crept in towards the end of the game as Madagascar were rewarded with three quick tries as Namibia were losing their composure.Match fitness was another key factor that hampered the Namibians, as some players started committing knock-ons and at times failed to tackle their opponents.The young players had pace, however, and the backs proved this by running through tackles in their attempts to put points on the scoreboard.Under instruction from coach Christo Alaxander not to kick possession away, the Namibian players, with Heino Senekal as the captain, restored some credibility in the game.The Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) is under investigation by the Namibia Sports Commission (NRU) for some financial irregularities and allegations of racism. Assistant coach Jakkals Pretorius said although there were several handling errors, he believed the team did well considering that they had not played together as a team for long.He said the core of the team that played on Saturday would make up the squad that will represent Namibia in the Vodacom Cup in South Africa next year.Pretorius said Namibia had a lot of young promising players who could make it far in the game.Madagascar’s coach, Christian Adriantsilavo, said his players tried their best, but the Namibians were superior in many respects.He said the Namibians had technical superiority and played with a purpose, while his players, who were also young and inexperienced, were heavily exposed as they lost many tackles and kicked possession away.Winger Melrick Afrika opened the scoring for Namibia in the 11th minute with a well-worked try emanating from a Regardt Kruger pass at scrumhalf to flyhalf Jacky Bock just metres away from the try-line.Afrika burst through a wall of Madagascan backs to dot down for the try, which was converted by Bock to take the lead.A few minutes later, Bock missed a penalty from about a metre from the centre-line in the opposition’s half.Veteran winger Deon Mouton scored the second try for Namibia after sloppy defending by the visitors.Bock converted to push the score to 17-0, but Johan Wohler also had plans to cross the line as he dived for Namibia’s third by forcing his large frame over after great support from his team mates during a maul.A conversion by Bock brought the score to 24-0.Bock, who proved to be a valuable asset at flyhalf, landed the fourth try, which he also converted, deep into the first half to make it 31-0 before the break.The floodgates opened in the second half as Heiki Amakali, Duan Spannenberg, Phillip Meyer, Heini Bock and Desmond Snyders all scored tries.Madagascar’s Mboazafy Rakotoarivelo and Hermann Randrianiana scored consolation tries for their side in the last quarter of the match.Rakotoarivelo converted one try and also slotted through a beautiful and well-timed drop kick.Scrumhalf Antonio Rakotozanany failed to score a clear try as he left it too late by virtually knocking the ball down as he was running out of space within the scoring area.The referees did not award the try.Spannenberg was named man of the match and walked away with a cheque of N$500.Namibia will face Ivory Coast in their second match later this month, on a date still to be confirmed.