Samoa ended Namibia’s streak of competing in seven consecutive World Cups after defeating the Welwitschias 26-8 in the RWC Final Qualification Tournament.
The Islanders will meet Belgium in the decider next Tuesday, 18 November, for the final place at World Cup 2027 in Australia.
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Both sides made it back-to-back wins on match day two of the Final Qualification Tournament in Dubai.
Belgium, who defeated Namibia in their first game, survived a scare as they played for over half an hour with just 14 men against Brazil, edging the game 30-27 with a try in the final two minutes to replacement prop Maxime Jadot.
In the later game, Samoa, who accounted for Brazil on match day one, looked far more comfortable against Namibia, clinching the match 26-8, but were made to work hard by a Welwitschias side who never gave up.
The teams now have five days to recover and prepare for one of the biggest matches in both nations’ histories.
South Africa and Zimbabwe will be the two African countries, along with 22 other nations, at the World Cup in 2027 to be hosted Australia.
Firmly on track
A fast-improving Samoa were outstanding in their victory over Namibia, which ended the Welwitschias’ dreams of World Cup 2027 and keeps Samoa firmly on track to claim the final place at Australia 2027.
Samoa were superb right from the kick-off, excelling in all facets of the game to totally control the first half, going into the sheds 19-0 thanks to tries to scrumhalf Jonathan Taumateine and wings Va’afauese Apelu Maliko and Latrell Ah-Kiong, fullback Jacob Umaga adding two conversions.
Namibia started better in the second half with sustained pressure rewarded by a penalty goal from flyhalf Cliven Loubser, to bring the score back to 17-3.
Namibia sought to play the game in Samoa’s territory using the excellent long kicking games of fullback Divan Rossouw, scrumhalf Helarius Kisting and Loubser.
But every kick was met with just as intelligent returns from the Samoa back three of Umaga, Apelu Maliko and Ah-Kiong.
Driving maul
Samoa also chose their moments well when to throw the ball wide and when to keep it tight, executing a driving maul close to the line superbly on 54 minutes to see flanker Alamanda Motuga go over, Umaga landing the conversion from near the touchline to make it 26-3.
Namibia were able to turn the ball over at the breakdown 11 times, with Samoa’s total of 21 turnovers lost and just two won, sure to concern Samoa head coach Lemalu Tusiata Pusi.
But overall, this was a very professional and disciplined Samoa outfit that looked like they were running into great form at exactly the right time.
Even when Namibia broke the Samoan line with just 15 minutes to go, with a superb break down the left-hand side, smart defence from Umaga and Ah Kiong closed down any opportunity for a Namibian five-pointer.
But the brave Welwitschias, led valiantly by the non-stop captain and hooker Louis van der Westhuizen, never gave up and were rewarded for their endeavour with a clever cross kick from Johan Deysel, putting Jay-Cee Nell over out wide with 11 minutes remaining to bring the score back to 26-8.
Namibia kept fighting valiantly with excellent defence right to the end, winning the second half 8-7, which was a great result for Peter Rossouw’s team, who, if they had shown this form earlier in the tournament, may have had a better result against Belgium.
‘Happy with the effort shown’
Rossouw was pleased with the 80-minute performance of his team: “We are very happy with the commitment and the effort the guys showed today.
“We were a lot more physical in the contact, which wasn’t that great the other day against Belgium, and I think we played the right game plan. We just couldn’t keep the ball for long enough in our phases to put pressure on attack. But very happy tactically, very happy.
“And we finish really strong in the second half, we were very happy with that.”
While for Samoa, Pisi lauded the presence of the new players coming into the squad, which includes former Australia prop Scott Sio: “Obviously, we’ve had a few players come in and they brought their experience and just a calibre of where they play, and probably the mainstays of our team – that’s coming.
“So it’s been good for the other players that were involved in the last campaign to see the level of these players and where they need to get to.”
