Game 29 - Wales v Namibia - Stadium Taranaki - 26th Sept 2011

As mentioned, Hudsie has gone on a Rugby pilgrimage to Nelson. For some background to this pilgrimage check out the introduction to his Game 26 post. I am keeping the home fires burning by posting his thoughts, and a few of mine, on each game while he's away. If you're a new reader, I recommend you read some of his older posts for some good yarns, as this one will not be representative of the collection. It's Namibia versus Wales - what is there to say? You have been warned.....

Thoughts on  Wales v Namibia, by Hudsie

I'll keep this preamble brief - there isn't much to say. Wales look very competent at this tournament and Namibia don't. The 19th ranked team in the world should get a good old fashioned hiding tonight.

Thoughts on  Wales v Namibia, by Megan

So Hudsie doesn't have too much to say about the match. Let's see how things play out....

Prior to the game

Things are looking very positive for Wales:

• The Welsh anthem is powerful and their supporters are in fine voice. Wales really is a nation of singers - is every Welsh baby born singing?
• They have fresh legs with 11 new players since their last game
• Stephen Jones playing his 101st test - congratulations to the most capped Welsh player ever. That said there are so many Joneses in Wales, it would be understandable if their stats got a little bit mixed up from time to time. 
• Steve Walsh is the ref. Walsh sounds more like Welsh than Namibia and this is perhaps a good omen for Wales.  

Things are looking fairly hairy for Namibia:

• Wales are ranked 7th, Namibia 19th
• Poor Namibia have only just played South Africa 4 days ago. 4 tests in 2 weeks - they'll be tired. Their legs will be stale, not fresh.

It's good to see that Maori customs are being appreciated from afar - this is from the guardian:

Not long now: At the Stadium Taranaki in New Plymouth, a scantily clad Maori gentlemen toots on his conch to welcome both teams on to the pitch..."

Half time

• 22-0 to Wales

Second half

• 49 minutes - Gethin Jenkins from Wales, a prop - scores possibly the most balletic try of the tournament. It is absolutely glorious.
• 52 minutes - intercept try to Heinz Koll, another front rower, from Namibia! The first Namibian to score two world cup tries. Hudsie notes that this is the 4th intercept try of the tournament - 2 of which have been conceded by NZ, which reminds Hudsie of the ghastly moment when Stirling Mortlock eliminated the ABs from the 2003 semi finals.... 
• It is worth noting that the Welsh supporters never seem to boo for an opposition's conversion attempt - I would like to see all supporters do this. Booing is so unrefined. 
• 73 minutes - Stink - Namibian injury - never good seeing a player leaving on a golf cart. 
• Namibia are down to 14 men - can someone from the crowd step up?

Full time

• Comprehensive win to Wales who have set a team record for most points scored in a World Cup game (81) and most number of tries (12). They are looking good.
• While Namibia are the first team to go from the RWC, they can take heart in the fact they scored a try tonight and that the man of the match is Tenus Du Plessis -from NAMIBIA!

Final score: Wales 81 - Namibia 7

29 games 183 tries.

Tweet of the match - "Gethin Jenkins is officially out of the front row union for that try!" @rwcbrianmoore