Harare
The Namibian under-20 rugby team lost by 22 points to 40 against Spain in their second match of the 2016 U-20 World Rugby Trophy, underway in Harare Zimbabwe, on Saturday.
The youth tourney, which started on Wednesday ends on the 1st of next month and has attracted eight national teams competing in two different groups, with Namibia pitted alongside Hong Kong, Spain and the United States of America (USA) in Group-B.
In their opening match, Namibia defeated the USA 46-44, before confronting Spain on Saturday. Namibia went into the half-time break trailing by 14 points to 24, with Allister Miller and Tiaan van der Merwe each visiting the white line, but Cliven Loubser only managed to successfully score one conversion.
In the 2nd half, Namibia grounded the oval ball once more through Loubser in the 77th minute, which he dully converted. According to new rules announced by the International Rugby Board (IRB) in December last year, a try is worth six points and a conversion still two points.
Junior rugby and the World Championship, among other selected competitions, will feature a new points system aimed at encouraging more try-scoring. The new rules are trialed on a temporary basis.
The defeat leaves Namibia 3rd in the group with 5 points, with Spain leading the group on 10 points. In other action, USA thrashed Hong Kong 32-12, to cement second position on 7 points.
Namibia confronts Hong Kong on Wednesday at 11h00, while the USA takes on Spain. Namibia’s best finish at the U-20 World Rugby Youth Trophy was 5th in 2008 and 2009.