by Staff Reporter
Windhoek
Despite a lukewarm display during the course of the competition, Namibia’s Under-20 rugby team will bow out of this year’s World Rugby Trophy with their heads held high after finishing sixth overall out of eight teams following a 36-24 defeat to Fiji on Sunday.
Namibia led 11-5 as the first half drew to a close but a two-try salvo in double quick time ensured it was Fiji – top seeds after being relegated from the Under-20 Championship last year – who held a six-point advantage at half time.
Centre Kaveni Dabenaise’s score and Filipo Daugunu’s conversion edged the islanders in front in the 39th minute before fly-half Seremaia Turagabeci spun out of an attempted tackle from his opposite number to touch down for a 17-11 lead.
Undeterred, Namibia fought back with the first score of the second half, prop Hans Breedt rumbling over to reduce the gap to a single point. A penalty from Henrique Olivier, while Fiji had a man in the sin-bin, put Namibia ahead 19-17, but the riposte from Fiji was devastating with three tries between the 63rd and 71st minutes turning the game on its head.
Enjoying the sun on their backs and showing the sort of flair they are renowned for, Fiji scored their fourth try when Seveci Nakanailagi finished well in the corner and he was quickly followed over the line by Patrick Beramaisu, who rounded off a superb length-of-the-field, before Jone Sevuya grabbed try number six. Namibia scrum-half Damian Stevens scored a late consolation.
– Additional reporting by worldrugby.org