Effortless

Namibia proves troublesome for France

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Posted: Friday October 08, 1999 07:29 PM

So close, yet: Arnaud Costes of France loses the ball just before he crosses the goal line, Sean Furter of Nambia gives chase. AP

BORDEAUX, France (CNN/SI) -- Friday's second Rugby World Cup match between supposed giants France and minnows Namibia failed to live up to its billing of overwhelming odds.

The Namibian squad worked hard to restrict France to a mere 10-point lead (23-13) at half-time. The French team went in to the dressing room bombarded by boos, but came out fighting in the second half and went on to win 47-13.

Jean-Claude Skrela called for a bigger win than Fiji's 67-18 trouncing of Namibia last week, in case qualification comes down to amount of points scored.

French fullback Ugo Mola scored three quick second-half tries and Emile Ntamack added another before the end to ease home tensions.

Pierre Mignoni and Philippe Bernat-Salles had crossed the line in the first half.

In the sixth minute, Bernat-Salles dashed 50 yards down the right wing to create the first scoring chance.

Olivier Magne majestically won the resulting lineout and Mignoni was on hand to score his third try in French colors.

Despite the try, France's first-half play was scrappy with far too many misplaced passes to seriously trouble the Namibians.

Namibia leveled the score at 10-10 in the 20th minute, Bernat-Salles misplaced a pass and on the counterattack Lamaison kicked away just in time. But France defended poorly from the resulting scrum and Arthur Samuelson easily ran between the posts to score a try.

The crowd showed its displeasure at the French performance and Namibia were tied until the 29th minute when Raphael Ibanez's team was grateful when a tricky 35-yard penalty from Dourthe went between the posts.

Dourthe and Van Dyk both kicked penalties before Bernat-Salles scored an important try just before half-time, kicking the ball away from Samuelson and sprinting 40 yards to reach goal line before the retreating Namibians.

France began to assert its passing game in the second-half as Namibia began to tire.

Mola's third, in the 61st minute, was the best of the night, Bernat-Salles' trickery deceiving two opponents and his pass giving Mola a clear run to the line.

Bernat-Salles was again the instigator in the 70th minute, weaving through the Namibia midfield before creating the opening for Ntamack.

France

Namibia

Referee: Chris White, England.

 

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.