New Zealand made to work for World Cup win by tough-tackling Namibia

Rarely has a 44-point defeat in rugby felt so much like a victory, or been greeted with so many chest bumps and bloodied smiles. Namibia’s team of amateurs and lowly professionals, of engineers, diamond traders, dentists and bike shop workers, were expected to be routed by the All Blacks; instead they held their line and their nerve. Even when their bodies flagged, their spirits never sagged. If anything the 58-14 scoreline was a little harsh on their efforts. Related: Sam Burgess stokes Wales’ fire with apparent Scott Williams jibe Continue reading...