New Zealand vs Namibia LIVE! Rugby World Cup 2023 match stream, latest score and updates today
Hat-trick of big wins?
This is the third World Cup in a row that Namibia have faced New Zealand in the pool stage – not sure it’s getting any more fun for them.
The All Blacks eased to a 58-14 win in London in 2015, and it was even more emphatic four years ago in Tokyo as Namibia were beaten 71-9.
Plenty of room for improvement, shall we say…
Coetzee wants Namibia to ‘throw more punches’
Allister Coetzee has a fair old task on his hands tonight, trying to find a way for his Namibia side to keep it competitive against the All Blacks.
They were not hugely impressive against Italy – Coetzee wants a more aggressive display here.
“The Italy game was a big challenge for us, especially in the set-piece. Hopefully it will be better,” the Namibian head coach said.
“We have to throw more punches. New Zealand is a top nation. Our plan is to stop the momentum and break their rhythm.”
Foster: We are expecting to be tested
New Zealand head coach Ian Foster has been talking up the significance of tonight’s game, insisting the All Blacks will not be complacent and are expecting a “very tough” encounter.
“A key game for us to get right and we’ve selected accordingly,” Foster said.
“We are expecting a very tough Namibian side to test us. While we were disappointed with the result in the first round, it hasn’t moved our focus from what we need to do to in our pool games.
“This game is vital for us to grow and we can’t wait to get to Toulouse and test ourselves.”
Second round of fixtures!
After last weekend’s drama, the second round of the pool stage got up and running last night as France beat Uruguay.
It was far from convincing from a much-changed Les Blues side, but they got the job done to strengthen their grip on top spot in Pool A.
The focus turns to New Zealand vs Namibia tonight, before six matches take place over the weekend. Those include Ireland vs Tonga tomorrow, and Australia vs Fiji and England vs Japan on Sunday.
Lots to look forward to!
All Blacks need response!
It was a blockbuster start to the Rugby World Cup, but not the result New Zealand were looking for.
They flew out of the blocks against France, only for the hosts to respond and go on to seal what turned out to be a relatively comfortable win.
Top spot in Pool A already looks to now be beyond the All Blacks, but second will see them through to the quarter-finals.
Here’s how that opening match played out…
Standard Sport prediction
Namibia’s heavy defeat by Italy continued their unwanted run of losing every match they’ve ever played at the Rugby World Cup.
That is a sequence of 24 games, with the African nation having qualified for every tournament since 1999 after missing the first three editions.
They have met the All Blacks twice during that spell, being hammered 58-14 in London in 2015 and then 71-9 in Tokyo four years ago.
Expect a similarly seriously one-sided scoreline tonight as a wounded New Zealand look to get their campaign up and running with a flourish to state their own title ambitions.
New Zealand to win, by at least 50 points.
Namibia team news
It’s four changes for Namibia – and former Springboks – head coach Allister Coetzee, who brings in full-back Cliven Loubser, prop Jason Benade, flanker Prince Gaoseb and centre Le Roux Malan following the defeat by Italy.
Johan Retief moves to lock and Divan Rossouw to the wing, with Desiderius Sethie, Adriaan Ludick and JC Greyling all dropping to the bench.
Namibia XV: Loubser; Mouton, Deysel (c), Malan, Rossouw; Swanepoel, Stevens; Benade, Van Jaarsveld Coetzee; Retief, Uanivi; Conradie, Gaoseb, Hardwick
Replacements: Van der Westhuizen, Sethie, Shifuka, Van Lill, Booysen, Katjijeko, Theron, Greyling
New Zealand team news
The All Blacks suffered a key blow ahead of kick-off against France, with captain Sam Cane a shock late withdrawal through injury as Foster was forced into a back-row reshuffle that included an unexpected start for Tupou Vaa’i.
Cane misses out again this week, with centre Jordie Barrett, prop Tyrel Lomax and flanker Shannon Frizell also sidelined. Barrett is back in training after a knee problem, but won’t be risked.
New Zealand have called up Ethan Blackadder to their squad since the loss to France, with Foster wanting to bolster his loose forward options after wing Emoni Narawa suffered a pre-tournament back injury that will see him play no part in the World Cup.
David Havili, Ofa Tuʻungafasi and Brodie Retallick are among the players introduced to the starting lineup having been replacements last week as Foster makes nine changes for Namibia.
Ardie Savea captains the team again in Cane’s absence, with Sam Whitelock set to join the great Richie McCaw as the most capped All Black of all time with his 148th senior international appearance. Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard and Caleb Clarke are all handed their World Cup debuts.
New Zealand XV: B Barrett; Clarke, Leinert-Brown, Havili, Fainga’anuku; McKenzie, Roigard; Tuungafasi, Taukei’aho, Laulala; Retallick, Whitelock; Jacobson, Papali’i, Savea
How to watch New Zealand vs Namibia
TV channel: In the UK, tonight’s game will be shown live and free to air on ITV4, with coverage starting at 7:15pm.
Live stream: Fans can also watch all the action live online via the ITVX website and app.
Live blog: Follow the game as it unfolds right here with us!
