Northern Edition
Select Edition
Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Uruguay comeback deprives Namibia of first ever World Cup win

By PA
Cliven Loubser of Namibia looks dejected at full-time following the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Uruguay and Namibia at Parc Olympique on September 27, 2023 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) Uruguay v Namibia - Rugby World Cup France 2023

Uruguay secured their first win at this year’s Rugby World Cup by beating Namibia 36-26 in Lyon.

ADVERTISEMENT

Namibia, playing their fourth and final Group A game in 18 days, led 20-12 at half-time but were punished for ill-discipline as their winless run at six World Cups was extended to 26 matches.

The Africans’ prop Johan Coetzee, captain Tjiuee Uanivi and replacement Desiderius Sethie were all yellow carded for high tackles, with the latter’s upgraded to red, and Uruguay cruised to their fourth World Cup win.

Namibia had lost heavily in all three of their previous group games, against Italy, New Zealand and France – but they made a flying start.

Wingers Gerswin Mouton and JC Greyling both went over in the corner for early converted tries to give the Africans a 14-0 lead.

Uruguay, who had given France a tough test in a 27-12 opening defeat and led Italy 17-7 at half-time before losing 38-17, responded through Baltazar Amaya’s close-range try.

After Tiaan Swanepoel’s penalty, Uruguay cut the deficit to 17-12 in the 28th minute as hooker German Kessler touched down after a driving maul from a line-out.

ADVERTISEMENT

Swanepoel landed his second penalty to extend Namibia’s lead to 20-12 at half-time and a third at the start of the second period made it 23-12.

Related

But Uruguay poured on the pressure and after Namibia prop Coetzee had been shown a yellow card, Amaya produced a brilliant finish in the corner for his second try.

Felipe Etcheverry converted and the gap was closed to four points at 23-19 and Uruguay took the lead for the first time in the match in the 54th minute through scrum-half Santiago Arata’s superb solo effort, which was also converted.

Namibia skipper Uanivi was shown a yellow card for a high tackle with 18 minutes left and within a minute his side were down to 13 men when replacement prop Sethie was sin-binned for the same offence.

ADVERTISEMENT

The latter’s was later confirmed as a red card and Uruguay punished them further as another converted try from winger Bautista Basso put them 33-23 ahead.

Swanepoel and Felipe Berchesi swapped penalties to make it 36-26 before Uruguay replacement Eric Dosantos was sin-binned for a high tackle in the closing stages.

Uruguay will play New Zealand in their final group match at the same venue on October 5.

ADVERTISEMENT

Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo vs Kubota Spears | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 Final | Full Match Replay

Saitama Wild Knights vs Kobe Steelers | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 Bronze Final | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 42 | Investec Champions Cup Final Review

Spain's Incredible Rugby Sevens Journey to the World Championship Final | HSBC SVNS Embedded | Episode 14

Australia vs USA | Pacific Four Series 2025 | Full Match Replay

New Zealand vs Canada | Pacific Four Series 2025 | Full Match Replay

South Africa vs New Zealand | The Rugby Championship U20's | Full Match Replay

The Game that Made Jonah Lomu

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

1 Comment
M
MT 622 days ago

Uruguay were not that great in this one. But had enough to win. Forwards need to do more, to many mistakes and kicking game needs to improve. Namibia played well, their mistakes hurt them more. Some of Uruguay's players need top level exposure, Amaya, Deus, and Aliaga would be great talents for any clubs in super rugby or Europe to pick up.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

A
Anendra Singh 1 hour ago
Super Rugby Pacific's greatest season stained by one playoff game

I wrote posts on this on two rugby union FB platforms on June 9 (NZ time). I took it further to not only label this QF a “dead rubber” but also if the two sides had manufactured a win, with the Blues taking a raincheck on paying back the Chiefs in a future season, when a bottle neck arises.

Speculation? Indeed, but worth it to inject some credibility in SRP. With flagging interest in what has been a weak SRP, there needs to be some meaningful discussions around what needs to be done to make SRP a platform to select ABs/Wallabies from.

Now, I had reactions of “conspiracy theories” but it basically questions the motive of a repechage “Lucky Loser” facet because it only opens the playoffs to manipulation. It’s called the knockout stage for a reason. You snooze; you lose. No sweeteners required.

The only reason organisers opted for the Top 6 is for a revenue-gathering exercise but, it seems, it has backfired. The 8 qualifying format was a joke, akin to the Blues losing so many games and still making the playoffs. That smacks of the previous seasons’ dilemma.

It’s also worth noting some pool games were questionable because elite teams had done their homework on what boxes to tick for wins and which ones to forfeit. For example, Chiefs and Tahs had not performed in Lautoka against Fijian Drua on what is perceived to be a hostile pitch. Tahs had rested all Wallabies and marquee players.

The only option to retain integrity in SRP is to make to a Top 4. Cut your losses to win back the fans’ faith.

59 Go to comments
f
frandinand 5 hours ago
The Reds' 'whimpering' exit shows Super Rugby scrums still matter

My favorite wine used to be Shiraz and I also enjoy a nice malbec. But having discovered quality pinots my preferences have definitely changed. Sorry Nic. But the great red wines of the world are pinots. The problem is being able to afford them. A friend in NZ sent me this list of their top 25 across regions prices and styles Hope you can source some of them Carlos.

Grove Mill 2023 Marlborough Pinot Noir - $15.99

Ayrburn Whimsy 2019 Otago Pinot Noir - $19.99

Mount Brown 2023 Waipara Pinot Noir - $19.99

Rapaura Springs Reserve 2023 Marlborough Pinot Noir - $21.99

Te Kairanga Estate 2024 Martinborough Pinot Noir - $24.99

Terra Sancta Mysterious Diggings 2024 Otago Pinot Noir - $26.99

Hunters 2023 Marlborough Pinot Noir – $26.99

Clearview Estate 2024 Martinborough Pinot Noir - $27.99

Putangi 2024 Otago Pinot Noir - $27.99

McArthur Ridge Southern Tor 2024 Otago Pinot Noir - $35.99

Ata Rangi Crimson 2023 Martinborough Pinot Noir - $38.99

Neudorf Tom’s Block 2023 Moutere Pinot Noir - $38.99

Te Kairanga John Martin 2024 Martinborough Pinot Noir - $39.99

Terra Sancta Shingle Beach 2024 Otago Pinot Noir - $43.99

Pyramid Valley Manatu 2022 Otago Pinot Noir - $44.99

Maude Mohawk 2023 Otago Pinot Noir - $49.99

Misha’s High Note 2021 Otago Pinot Noir - $50.99

Quartz Reef Bendigo 2022 Otago Pinot Noir - $52.99

Amisfield 2022 Otago Pinot Noir - $61.99

Calvert Bannockburn 2021 Otago Pinot Noir - $64.99

Prophet's Rock Home Vineyard 2023 Otago Pinot Noir - $79.99

Greystone Vineyard Ferment 2021 Waipara Pinot Noir - $81.99

Amisfield Breakneck Reserve 2022 Otago Pinot Noir - $92.99

Clos Ostler Caroline’s 2021 Waitaki Pinot Noir - $112.99

145 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ How university 'alchemy' is powering Bath's treble charge How university 'alchemy' is powering Bath's treble charge
Search