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 14-0 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.
Simple conversion for McKenzie. 14-0 inside 8 minutes.
7 mins: McKenzie got to the ball first, touched it down… before the line. A foot away from perfection.
That was brilliant from the All Blacks though, length of the pitch in about ten seconds. McKenzie won the race to the ball, but was a bit too keen.
Namibia scrum on the 5m line.
6 mins: Here we go, Namibia penalty and they’ve kicked for the corner.
Maul doesn’t make the progress they want though, All Blacks slow it down. And they turn the ball over – big trouble for Namibia!
Barrett leads the charge out wide, inside to McKenzie and he thinks he’s got it down for a try!
TMO will have a look.
4 mins: Namibia have barely touched the ball.
This is better though, they claim the lineout and drive into the New Zealand 22. Grubber kick attempted… doesn’t come off.
TRY! New Zealand 7-0 Namibia | Roigard 2’
Clarke nearly away out wide in the opening minute, All Blacks really sharp already. Getting good quick ball.
And they could be in already… they are in already!
Cam Roigard strolls over, that is a ruthless start from New Zealand. Barrett’s crossfield kick superb, and Faingaanuku pops it up for his scrum-half.
McKenzie converts. Ominous first couple of minutes.
KICK-OFF!
Up and running in Toulouse!
Anthems done and they’re still persisting with the choirs. Less said about that the better.
Anyway, over to New Zealand and the haka!
Here we go!
Players are in the tunnel, mascots looking suitably terrified as the giants on both sides walk up to them.
Plenty of talk from Namibia that they want to be aggressive and ensure this is competitive – time to find out if they can do just that.
Not long now!
The action in Toulouse will be up and running very, very shortly.
Just under 15 minutes to go now until we get up and running, and New Zealand look to put last week’s disappointment behind them.
Not always as easy as it appears on paper though, as France found out last night against Uruguay…
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