Rugby World Cup Pool B table: New Zealand blast past Namibia as All Blacks and South Africa close in on qualification
NEW ZEALAND stole an early march on rivals South Africa in the battle to progress top of Rugby World Cup Group A.
The All Blacks showed their credentials as tournament favourites by seeing off a powerful Springboks side 23-13 – before scoring 11 tries against Namibia
But the Springboks bounced back with a big win over their fellow Africans and Italy to close in on a quarter-final berth.
Rugby World Cup Pool B fixtures and results
Japanese time in brackets.
Saturday, September 21: New Zealand 23-13 South Africa
Sunday, September 22: Italy 47-22 Namibia
Thursday, September 26: Italy 48-7 Canada
Saturday, September 28: South Africa 57-3 Namibia
Wednesday, October 2: New Zealand 63-0 Canada
Friday, October 4: South Africa 49-3 Italy
Sunday, October 6: New Zealand 71-9 Namibia
Tuesday, October 8: South Africa vs Canada – 11.15am (7.15pm)
Saturday, October 12: New Zealand vs Italy – 5.45am (1.45pm)
Sunday, October 13: Namibia vs Canada – 4.15am (12.15pm)
Rugby World Cup Pool B table
Rugby World Cup Pool B squads
New Zealand
Forwards: Dane Coles, Liam Coltman, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Atu Moli, Angus Ta’avao, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson, Kieran Read (captain), Ardie Savea, Matt Todd.
Backs: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Brad Weber, Beauden Barrett, Richie Mo’unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sonny Bill Williams, Jordie Barrett, George Bridge, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Ben Smith.
South Africa
Forwards: Schalk Brits, Lood de Jager, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi,, Francois Louw, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Bongi Mbonambi, Franco Mostert, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, Kwagga Smith, RG Snyman, Duane Vermeulen.
Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Faf de Klerk, Warrick Gelant, Elton Jantjies, Herschel Jantjies, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Sbu Nkosi, Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach, Frans Steyn.
Italy
Forwards: Simone Ferrari, Andrea Lovotti, Tiziano Pasquali, Nicola Quaglio, Marco Riccioni, Federico Zani, Luca Bigi, Oliviero Fabiani, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Dean Budd, Federico Ruzza, David Sisi, Alessandro Zanni, Maxime Mbanda, Sebastian Negri, Sergio Parisse (captain) Jake Polledri, Abraham Steyn.
Backs: Callum Braley, Guglielmo Palazzani, Tito Tebaldi, Tommaso Allan, Carlo Canna, Tommaso Benvenuti, Michele Campagnaro, Luca Morisi, Mattia Bellini, Giulio Bisegni, Jayden Hayward, Matteo Minozzi, Edoardo Padovani.
Namibia
Forwards: Andre Rademeyer, Nelius Theron, Desiderius Sethie, A J de Klerk, Johannes Coetzee, Obert Nortje, Louis van der Westhuizen, Torsten van Jaarsveld, Tjiuee Uanivi, Johan Retief, Thomasau Forbes, Rohan Kitshoff, Max Katjijeko, Prince !Gaoseb, Wian Conradie, P J van Lill, Adriaan Booysen, Janco Venter.
Backs: Cliven Loubser, Helarius Kisting, Damian Stevens, Eugene Jantjies, Darryl de la Harpe, Johan Deysel (captain), Justin Newman, J C Greyling, Johann Tromp, Chad Plato, Lesley Klim, Janry du Toit, P J Walters.
Canada
Forwards: Hubert Buydens, Jake Ilnicki, Cole Keith, Djustice Sears-Duru,Eric Howard, Benoit Piffero, Andrew Quattrin, Conor Keys, Evan Olmstead, Mike Sheppard, Matt Tierney, Tyler Ardron, Kyle Baillie, Justin Blanchet, Luke Campbell, Matt Heaton, Lucas Rumball
Backs: Jamie MacKenzie, Phil Mack, Gordon McRori, Shane O’Leary, Pat Parfrey, Nick Blevins, Ciaran Hearn, Ben LeSage, Conor Trainor, Andrew Coe, Jeff Hassler, DTH van der Merwe, Peter Nelson, Taylor Paris