Tonga Eye a Win Against Namibia
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Tuesday, September 29, 2015 31 TONGA EYE A WIN AGAINST NAMIBIA coached by Welshman Phil Davies to game against Georgia, so we’re making at the World Cup anything could make his 10th World Cup appearance, sure that we address this game first happen.” which leaves him one shy of the team and foremost, hence the changes. This Namibia coach Davies warned that record of 11 held by Hugo Horn. is the team that we believe is going his team faced a tough test against the Tonga, an ever-present at the to do the job in the game coming up South Sea islanders. World Cup bar one absence in 1991, against Namibia. “The Tongans have had a good rest. Team Tonga have nine changes, coach Mana Otai “On the day we’ve got to be There will be a lot of emotion flying Exeter New Zealand and Argentina. While explaining that decision by pointing prepared, regardless of who we’re around their team and they will be onga face Namibia today with Tonga mathematically remain in the to the short timespan between the playing and I think we learned our very physical,” the former Llanelli and their aim reset on finishing hunt for second place, they have still next games. lessons from Georgia.” Wales forward said. thirdT in Pool C to seal automatic to play the All Blacks and the Pumas, “There’s always been a plan about Otai warned that their favourites’ “They are number 11 in the world qualification for the 2019 World who finish up their pool campaign how we take on these four games and tag would count for nothing following and we are number 20. That’s a huge Cup while the southern Africans will against Namibia. take into consideration the two four- England’s 28-25 defeat by Wales. difference, so it will be a massive, simply be after a first-ever win. Namibia have made eight changes day turnarounds in the upcoming “It could have been either one’s massive challenge for us.” Tonga went down to a shock 17-10 to the starting line-up that lost 58-14 two games, but having said that, we game, but if you look at the build- Davies said many positives could be defeat by Georgia in their opening to New Zealand last week. also take into consideration now the up to it, I think the favourites were taken from their defeat by champions match, throwing the scrap for third Indefatigable Saracens flanker situation that we’re in,” Otai said. England -- we’re in the same dilemma New Zealand. place wide open behind heavyweights Jacques Burger will captain the side “We haven’t had success in the last (being favourites)... It highlighted that (AFP) ‘Losing to Scots is not an option’ Team All Blacks Newcastle In doing so they would Tailenders United States outh Africa have to beat restore some of the pride are pointless. “For us it’s Scotland next Saturday they lost when Japan our final. If we lose this ifS they are not to go home inflicted the greatest upset we’re out,” said Brits. with their tails between in World Cup history “We are in this position their legs said Springboks on them with a 34-32 and we’re ready to fight hooker Schalk Brits triumph in Brighton over and make our country yesterday. a week ago. proud.” The 34-year-old -- who The Scots top the pool Brits, who would have plays his club rugby for with a maximum 10 points, won more caps but for English Premiership club three clear of the ‘Boks opting to move to Saracens All Blacks have Saracens -- added he and -- who got back on track in 2009, professed himself his team-mates were ready with a 46-6 demolition of to be a fan of how the to make their rugby-mad the Samoans on Saturday Scots played rugby thanks Georgia on their mind compatriots proud of -- and both Samoa and to the new style imposed them in the Pool B clash Japan on four points with by coach Vern Cotter. Cardiff of the competition and coach Steve in Newcastle. two games remaining. Schalk Brits he All Blacks have gone back to Hansen has said they do not want to school as they look to lift their be underdone when it comes to the gameT against the unknown threat of play-offs. Georgia on Friday. After giving all his players, except De Villiers to continue club abroad The defending champions have for the injured Waisake Naholo and Newcastle career) over the next couple of weeks. not been overly thrilled with they Liam Messam, a run in the first two etired Springboks skipper Jean What I know is that I will not play in way they performed in their opening games, Hansen is said he will bed de Villiers says he will continue South Africa again. games -- wins over Argentina and in his top side over their remaining hisR club career abroad -- possibly in “There are a couple of options here Namibia. pool games against Georgia and England or Japan -- after recovering in England,” said the 34-year-old who Georgia, whom they’ve never Tonga. from a fractured jaw. won 109 Springbok caps during a played before, have a win over They have set up player The injury in a huge Rugby World 13-year Test career. Tonga and a loss to Argentina so committees to pore over hours of Cup win over Samoa last Saturday He hinted this year that he might far and impressed in both matches video of Georgian matches so they forced him out of the tournament and play in Japan after the World Cup. with a powerful forward pack led can avoid any slip ups. he later announced his retirement Playing abroad has become hugely by Toulon backrow warrior Mamuka “We have a group that has a good from Test rugby. attractive financially for South “Gorgodzilla” Gordodze. look at the way they like to defend Western Stormers centre De African rugby players -- especially All Blacks playmaker Dan Carter and opportunities where we can Villiers spent this year recovering those in the twilight of their careers said their strategic committee system attack them, and we’ll have a defence from knee ligament and fractured jaw -- with the rand depreciating nearly is in full swing, learning everything group that look at the way the team injuries only to fracture the other side 20 percent against the dollar this year. they can about the Georgians so they that we’re coming up against like to of his jaw against the Pacific islanders Lock Victor Matfield, at 38 the are ready for any eventuality. attack,” Carter said. in Birmingham. oldest Springbok at this World “It’s time we stepped up now. We’re Flanker Sam Cane, who deputised “I have not planned too far ahead,” Cup, will join English Premiership in a position where we’re a third game for Richie McCaw as skipper in the De Villiers told a news conference outfit Northampton Saints after the into this tournament and it’s time Namibia match, said it was important in north-east city Newcastle, where tournament. we improved as a team and that’s for the All Blacks who like to play with South Africa play Scotland Saturday Most South Africans moving including myself,” said Carter. speed and width that they did not let in a top-of-the-table Pool B match. overseas favour Japan, England and The reigning world champions Georgia to slow the pace of the game “I will have to think about it (club France. Jean de Villiers are in the seemingly weakest pool down. .