Rees rules

Canada outplays Namibia 72-11

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Posted: Thursday October 14, 1999 08:18 PM

Kyle Nichols of Canada (right)fends off a challenge from Francois Janse Van Rensberg of Namibia. Allsport

TOULOUSE, France (CNN/SI) -- Gareth Rees, the only man to have played in all four World Cups, didn't miss a kick, scoring 27 points as he led the North Americans to a 72-11 victory against Group C's rank outsiders, Namibia, on Thursday.

It was a consolation victory more than anything for the Canadians, who following Samoa's win against Wales earlier in the day virtually eliminated Canada's hopes of qualifying for the quarterfinal playoffs as best third-placed team.

However, the North American team, which was a World Cup quarterfinalist in 1991, was still in a determined mood.

Kyle Nichols, Rod Snow and Winston Stanley scored two tries and Morgan Williams, Al Charron and Bobby Ross one each as it wrapped up its first win for more than a year, despite playing with 14 men for nearly half the match.

After an early Glovin Van Wyk penalty, Canada scored two quick tries.

In the seventh minute, scrumhalf Williams made the most of good running by Joe Pagano to score his third try of the World Cup, and within two minutes Nichols intercepted a dreadful pass from Van Wyk before dashing 40 meters (yards) to score.

Rees converted both tries before adding a penalty to make it 17-3, before Van Wyk scored his second penalty.

No. 8 Charron gave the impressive crowd of 28,000 spectators something to cheer eight minutes before the break, finishing off a well-worked four-man move with a smart sidestep to score his first World Cup try.

Canada was still determined to give its traveling supporters a big win, and prop forward Snow gave Pat Parfrey's team a 31-6 half-time lead, showing deft footwork to dummy Sean Furter and score his sixth try in 29 tests.

Canada played its most open rugby of the tournament so far but the Namibians tackling was as sharp as it had been in the first half of its match against France.

Though only pride was at stake the game got ugly early in the second half.

A high tackle from Arthur Samuelson on Mark Cardinal forced the Canadian hooker off the pitch and in the 48th minute Danny Baugh was sent off for stamping.

Namibian captain Quinn Hough broke away from a ruck to score a 55th minute try and pull the score back to 34-11.

But Namibia couldn't do enough to avoid its third heavy defeat of the World Cup.

Nichols crossed the line in the 61st minute after sloppy Namibian passing, and replacement Ross, Stanley and Snow added tries near the end.

Despite its big win, Canada can only qualify if Argentina loses catastrophically to minnow Japan.

Canada

Scott Stewart, Winston Stanley, David Lougheed, Kyle Nichols, Joe Pagano, Gareth Rees (cap.), Morgan Willams, Al Charron, Danny Baugh, John Hutchinson, Mike James, John Tait, Jon Thiel, Mark Cardinal, Rod Snow.

Namibia

Glovin Van Wyk, Leandre Van Dyk, Francois Van Rensburg, Schalk Van Der Merwe, Arthur Samuelson, Johan Zaayman, Riaan Jantjies, Sean Furter, Mathys Van Rooyen, Quinn Hough (captain), Pieter Steyn, Heino Senekal, Joodt Opperman, Hugo Horn, Eben Smith.

Referee: Andrew Cole, Australia.

 

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.