Preamble
Hello all. Rugby World Cup time, and a couple of the teams who have battled in previous editions, but want to make an impression this time around. Namibia have always been an amateur team – see the story of Rudie Van Vuuren, who played for the country in the Cricket World Cup and the Rugby World Cup back to back in 2003. They’ve never won a match in either tournament, but they’ve had a long training camp this time and are hopeful of competing.
Italy may not be the nation that you first think of when you think of rugby, but there is a tradition of the game in some parts. Alessandro Zanni is playing in his fourth World Cup, and Sergio Parisse in his fifth. The Italians have never moved past the group stage at a World Cup, and need a big win here to boost them towards that end.