New Zealand are expected to make an emphatic return to winning ways tonight at they take on Namibia in their second Rugby World Cup encounter. The All Blacks fell to a frustrating defeat in their blockbuster opener against France, a result that likely means top spot in Pool A is beyond them already.
But a place in the quarter-finals should will almost certainly still be secured in routine fashion, with matches against Italy and Uruguay after tonight’s clash in Toulouse. Before losing to France, New Zealand had never previously lost a World Cup pool match, and anything other than a huge win here would be a major shock.
There was little to encourage Namibia in their opening game of the tournament, a heavy 52-8 defeat to Italy. They have now lost all 23 of the matches they have played at Rugby World Cups. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!
Live updates
TRY! New Zealand 19-3 Namibia | McKenzie 20′
And it’s as you were – a third New Zealand try!
The All Blacks have a penalty on the 5m line, take it quickly and Namibia don’t react. McKenzie dances his way under the posts, leaving himself the simplest of conversions.
Huge ovation from the crowd and from all the players as the buggy drives off the pitch. As loud as the stadium has been all night.
Malan it is who picked up the injury, he raises an arm on his way off. Oxygen mask over his face. Greyling on in his place.
We’re ready to get up and running again.
All gone very quiet in Toulouse, crowd fully aware of how serious this injury looks to be. Referee’s reaction said it all, he couldn’t look.
He will be stretchered off as the buggy comes onto the pitch.
That is awful.
A Namibia player is down, looks to be a really bad leg injury. Referee blew his whistle and immediately looked away as he got close.
No replays obviously, so not entirely sure who it is that is down. We’ll have a fairly lengthy delay though.
NO TRY!
Or not.
TMO gets involved, Tu’ungafasi is penalised for obstruction at the maul.
Namibia penalty, New Zealand’s lead is back to 12-3.
TRY! New Zealand 17-3 Namibia | Taukei’aho 17′
There’s the third try!
Simple as you like. Lineout claimed, New Zealand maul marches towards the line and Taukei’aho can just topple over.
15 mins: Frightening amount of space for New Zealand out wide. Namibia cannot cope with them. Ball flung out to Clarke on the bounce, so much room but he is caught as he closes in on the tryline.
Ball goes loose, but All Blacks had the advantage. To the corner they go…
13 mins: Aside from those two tries, it has been a bit sloppy at times from the All Blacks. Couple of penalties conceded, now a knock-on from the restart.
When they do get quick ball though, it’s been devastating.
PENALTY!
11 mins: Whitelock penalised, Namibia penalty and this time they will go for the points. Probably a wise decision, try and get themselves on the board.
Swanepoel does just that, drilled through the middle of the posts. Namibia are up and running, though they are 12-3 down.
TRY! New Zealand 12-0 Namibia | Roigard 7’
New Zealand do have their second try!
Massive drive at the scrum, Namibia have no answer. Turned over, comes to Roigard and he spins his way over the line.
McKenzie drags the conversion well wide, as the rain begins to fall. 12-0 inside 8 minutes.
