Namibia put up strong performance against Italy

While certainly no showcase game, Italy and Namibia shared a great game with Namibia putting up a strong fight. Their defensive strength restricted Italy in the first half to only 3 tries, and they even managed to grab one of their own. This intent while not kept throughout the game, resulted in them scoring 3 tries, almost half as many as in 2015.

Italy, also played incredibly well. The attack functioned well and defence, while not brilliant in terms of some aspects. The game was very broken up with 10 scrums recorded by the 23rd minute. This overall led to a broken game. 

But I shall start at the beginning focussing on Namibia’s first try. A wonderful turnover attack from a worryingly unstable Itallian lineout. The attack let Italy break and using some wonderful skills and support lines score the first try of the game. 

The moves starts from the back of a lineout, with a slight overthrow, the Namibian hoker gathers at the back and starts charging forward, really attacking the Itallian line. With Italy hoping to form for a maul a small nucleus of Itallian might has formed around which Vaan Jaarsveld charges forward. This generates forward momentum more crucial to TIer 2 teams than Tier One as it enables front football to attack from rather than having to kick away as Namibia so often did. 

Following this forward movement, he run over Tomasso Allan, and with close support generates fast ball. As the lock and Flanker are able to quickly clear out, the opposing Itallian player. Meanwhile Parisee, and 3 other itallian forwards are stuck behind play having expected the maul. The reaction from Namibia creates such a perfect attacking platform. 

Then they shift the ball rapidly attacking the outside channels, organizing a 4 on 2. One interesting aspect of this being the set up and exploitation of the 5m channel, being reminiscent of the All Black attack in 2015. The close support and the pace enables Italy to play in behind and really attack the space. 

The success is also expedited by the missed tackle meaning Namibia can avoid having to throw offloads till they are under less pressure and leads to asimple2 on 1, allowing Namibia to score.

This strike play is incredibly effective and enable Namibia to expose italy. However, this sort of move comes from a missed ineout so shouldn’t be the major worry for the Azzuri. 

What was really exciting from an Itallian perspective was their exits. They managed to leave their 100% of the time. While, probably not up against excessive pressure the ability to clear with that record only becomes better when you realise the functionality of their attack. Breaking from their half into Namibia’s a further 60% of the time.

Italy in the first half alone, converted 10% of chances to points, this before Namibia had tired. After Half time 13.5% of their opportunities led to points. This overall was the main reason, Italy were successful. A way to convert chances was found and this is what seperates Italy from other sides, Japan in their home stadium only got 11%. While not a huge difference over a game with 50+ opportunities.  

And though it appears, that Namibia have an incredibly attack with scores from 36% of their time in the Italllian half this merely acts as evidence to Italy’s control and maturity with the ball. Overall the great endeavour shown by Namibia was rewarded with 22 points but italy remained in control throughout. Not needing to kick but merely to run the ball back into the Namibian half. The limited kicking really showed Italy’s want to run and practice attack,a benefit for both teams as Namibia were exposed to more tier one rugby in a pool of massacre with both New Zealand and South Africa to face. 

While Italy await more staunch challenges it will be interesting to see how they fair, with this attacking as a perfect warm up to the tests to come. With a score of 105.1 it was a considered and measured performance with opportunities well taken.