Wales, save for
dodgy second quarter when they lost all concentrations and shape, tore into the
outclassed Namibians for the other 60 minutes to celebrate Stephen Jones's
record 101st cap with a command performance which included 12 tries.
They will
now approach the Fiji game on Sunday in great shape mentally and physically and
if they trust in their skills there should be no repeat of their shock defeat
four years ago and a quarter-final place should be theirs.
A strange
first half featured the best and worst of welsh rugby with a sparkling opening
quarter and a sloppy distracted second quarter in which they allowed Namibia
back into the game.
Stephen
Jones lost no time whatsoever in getting the scoreboard ticking over with a
second minute penalty and Wales soon improved on that when two of their fastest
young backs - Leigh Halfpenny and Scott Williams - hit the turbo down the left
wing for Williams to sprint home for a try.
Two more
scores followed in quick succession with the powerful Aled Brew forcing his way
over and then Toby Faletau taking advantage of a disorganised Namibian defence
to pounce for a third.
Wales looked
set to go on a free running assault but then went to sleep in disappointing
fashion, started incurring Mr Walsh's displeasure at scrum-time. Namibia took
encouragement and Kotze was only just wide with two long range penalty
attempts.
Playing
their last game of the tournament they were determined not to capitulate and
just briefly Wales were suddenly making hard work of what should have been a
walk in the Taranaki Park.
Not in the
second half though. After a few stern words Wales let rip in the second half
with nine tries and it was great to see even if it heaps the pain of the
unfortunate Namibians. If you have got the talent don’t go all coy at the World Cup, that's where it needs to
all come out.
Scott
Williams added two more to bring up a hat-trick, raising three fingers as he
crossed for the final one and fellow centre Jonathan Davies also touched down.
Lions prop Gethin Jenkins darted and swerved like a back from 30 yard out to
put in his claim for try of the tournament - well from a front rower anyway -
and young George North, coming on as a replacement spelt danger every time he
touch the ball which seemed to be all the time.
The giant
Scarlets wing crossed for two and is going to be a huge player for Wales
against the Fijians on Sunday in Hamilton matching fire for fire if the
Islanders decide to finally throw off the shackles and open up. Lloyd Williams,
Lee Byrne and Alun Willalso got in on the act as Wales poured it on right to
the end.
There were
no mercy for the Namibians who go home a battered and bruised side after
playing four games in 17 days in this most physical of Pools.
Their
remarkable skipper Jacques Burger has probably put in more tackles than any
player in the tournament thus far but alas as a team the seem to be going
backwards and what can be done to help isn't immediately clear.
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