Menu

          ESPN

          • scores

          Welcome to ESPN India Edition

          • Commonwealth Games
          • Football
          • NBA
          • Cricket
          • Badminton
          • Chess
          • Hockey
          • F1
          • Olympic Sports
          • More Sports
            • ISL
            • Shooting
            • Tennis
            • Kabaddi
            • Wrestling
            • Rugby
            • FIFA World Cup
            • MMA
            • Boxing
            • NFL
            • NHL
            • Athletics
            • Golf
            • WWE
            • MLB
            • Moto GP
            • Special Olympics
            • NCAAM
            • NASCAR
            • NCAAF
            • NCAAW
            • World Cup Home
            • Asian Games
          • Watch
          • Rugby

          • Home
          • Scores
          • Tables
          • Tournaments
          • Countries
          Rugby World Cup 2015
          TongaTongaTON
          35
          29/09FT
          21
          NamibiaNamibiaNAM
          • Telusa Veainu(6', 55')
          • Jack Ram(12', 45')
          • Latiume Fosita(25')
          • Vunga Lilo(7', 26')
          • Vunga Lilo(35')
          • Kurt Morath(73')
          • Johan Tromp(18')
          • Jacques Burger(49', 67')
          • Theuns Kotze(19', 49', 68')
          • SummarySummary
          • ReportReport
          • CommentaryCommentary
          • Match StatsMatch Stats
          • Player StatsPlayer Stats
          • LineupsLineups
          • TableTable

          Namibia fall just short of first Rugby World Cup points

          EXETER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Telusa Veainu of Tonga runs with the ball during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Tonga and Namibia at Sandy Park on September 29, 2015 in Exeter, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) Getty Images
          • ESPN Staff
          Multiple Authors
          Sep 29, 2015, 03:00 AM ET
          • Copy Link
          • Email
          • Print

          Tonga moved into second place in Pool C with a 35-21 World Cup victory over Namibia in Exeter.

          The Sea Eagles' ambitions were seriously dented when they lost their opening game to Georgia 10 days ago in one of the early shocks of the tournament.

          But Tonga bounced back from that disappointment by scoring five tries - their most in a World Cup game - to register a bonus-point win and move above Argentina and Georgia in the section. With group games against Argentina and New Zealand to come, Tonga remain outsiders to make their first World Cup quarter-final, but at least this victory will provide the Pacific Islanders with a dose of confidence for those daunting tests ahead.

          Wing Telusa Veainu and flanker Jack Ram both scored twice, and Latiume Fosita once, as Tonga combined some exciting running with their set-piece dominance against the competition's lowest-ranked side.

          Namibia's wait for a World Cup win now stands at 16 years and 17 matches since their tournament debut in 1999, but they had the consolation of scoring three tries - two of them from inspirational skipper Jacques Burger - as they came within an ace of their first World Cup point.

          Tonga were almost shocked again when Namibia centre Johan Deysel failed to punish an early overlap and the Sea Eagles made the most of their good fortune to score 12 points in as many minutes.

          Veainu had been a late replacement for Fetu'u Vainikolo but he made an instant impact when he came in-field to take Fosita's pass and break the Namibian cover defence.

          The Rebels wing was hauled down just short of the line after making 40 metres but he rolled over to score and Vunga Lilo added the conversion.

          Namibia's tackling was leaving a lot to be desired and it was almost non-existent as Ram raced through unattended from 20 metres after the Tongans had secured clean line-out ball.

          It was looking ominous for Namibia, especially with their scrum in such disorder, but a restart charge down ended with wing Russell van Wyk held up inches out before the Tongan line was breached. Tjuiee Uanivi made good ground after Tonga lost possession and the second-row slipped the ball to wing Trump, who scorched over to the delight of the Sandy Park crowd and provide Theuns Lotze with a simple conversion.

          Namibia attempted to put width on the game whenever they could but Tonga's forward supremacy gave them a powerful platform and more quick set-piece ball brought a third try. Prop Soane Tonga'uiha peeled off the front of a line-out and second-row forwards Hale T-Pole and Joe Tuineau both helped to recycle ball for Fosita, who scored following a smart pick-up off his bootlaces.

          Lilo added another penalty for a 22-7 lead but Tonga were denied a bonus point before half-time when the outstretched Veainu put his left hand on the touchline when grounding the ball with his right. But the fourth try came within five minutes of the restart when Veainu's weaving run punished a sloppy Namibian kick and Ram coasted in for his second try.

          Namibia were in danger of being blown away but they were handed a lifeline when Burger was adjudged to have touched down under a pile of bodies and Kotze added the extras from the touchline.

          Tonga responded when Veainu burst through again but Namibia were far from finished and found a second wind in the final quarter. Namibia's forward drove a maul to the Tongan line 12 minutes from time and Burger was again at the bottom of it to claim his second try.

          That raised hopes of a sensational Namibia victory, but replacement Kurt Morath eased Tongan fears of lightning striking twice when he became his country's greatest points scorer with a late penalty.

          EXETER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 29: Telusa Veainu of Tonga goes over for a try which is disallowed for hand in touch during the 2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Tonga and Namibia at Sandy Park on September 29, 2015 in Exeter, United Kingdom. (Photo Getty Images
          • Terms of Use
          • Privacy Policy
          • Your US State Privacy Rights
          • Children's Online Privacy Policy
          • Interest-Based Ads
          • About Nielsen Measurement
          • Your Privacy Choices
          • Contact Us
          • Disney Ad Sales Site
          • Work for ESPN
          • Corrections
          GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Call 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/KY/NH/PR/WY). Void in ONT. Eligibility restrictions apply. Terms: draftkings.com/sportsbook. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL.
          Copyright: © 2026 ESPN Enterprises, LLC. All rights reserved.

          Standings

          Pool A
          RTeamGPPDP
          1FRA4+17818
          2NZL4+20615
          3ITA4-6710
          4URU4-995
          5NAM4-2180
          Pool B
          RTeamGPPDP
          1IRE4+14419
          2SOU4+11715
          3SCO4+7510
          4TON4-815
          5ROM4-2550
          Pool C
          RTeamGPPDP
          1WAL4+8419
          2FIJ4+511
          3AUS4-111
          4POR4-396
          5GEO4-493
          Pool D
          RTeamGPPDP
          1ENG4+11118
          2ARG4+5814
          3JAP4+29
          4SAM4+177
          5CHI4-1880
          Full Table

          Rugby World Cup 2015 News

          • 'I'll put my hand up for the World Cup': Wallabies' James Slipper not ruling out record fifth World Cup

            Recently retired Wallabies prop James Slipper is in line to make a shock return to the gold jersey less than a year after he farewelled the group through a front-row injury crisis, with a record fifth World Cup not ruled out.

          • Wallabies to face Ireland in 2027, will play seven Tests before Rugby World Cup

            The Wallabies will return to Canberra for a Test match for the first time in 10 years after Rugby Australia confirmed a final Rugby World Cup warmup match against Ireland next year.

          • Andy Farrell not talking to RFU about England role 'at present' -- Bill Sweeney

            Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney insists there has been no contact with Andy Farrell as part of England's succession planning for the time beyond next year's World Cup.

          • Argentina working towards 2035 Rugby World Cup bid

            Argentina will bid to stage the 2035 World Cup as part of a wider South American tournament that will also include Brazil, Chile and Uruguay.

          • Historic Rennie appointment to add World Cup intrigue

            Axed Wallabies coach Dave Rennie's high road to a belated Rugby World Cup chance will come with New Zealand and add another layer to the rivalry when the side's meet at next year's showpiece in Sydney.

          • Nine games in 17 days: Your ultimate RWC 2027 pool stage travel plan

            Love rugby? Got an infinite amount of cash at your disposal? Don't mind a few hours in the air? Then have we got the RWC 2027 pool stage travel plan for you!