Russia crush Namibia
In just the second rugby Test between the two countries Russia smashed Namibia 30-15 in the Hage Geingob Stadium in Windhoek, through there was only one try's difference between the two teams.
The result does not augur well for Namibia's chances in South Africa's Vodacom Cup as the young Blue Bulls gave the Russians a hiding on the Monday before the Windhoek Test. Namibia will eventually get some Europe-based players back for the 2011 World Cup. Namibia have already qualified for it while the Russians are still trying to qualify.
At half-time Russia led 17-5 in surprisingly cool, rainy conditions in Windhoek. The visitors attacked from the start and scored first when wing Vasily Artemyev and sent Yuri Kushnarev over at the posts. Scrumhalf Alexander Yanyushkin, who scored 20 points in the match, converted. A penalty by Yanyushkin made it 10-0.
Then Namibia struck when centre David Philander counterattacked. Scrumhalf Eugene Jantjies took it on and sent lock Wacca Kazombiaze over for the try. 10-5 after 35 minutes.
But back came Russia, battering at the Namibian defence till Mikhail Babaev broke and score. 17-5.
In the second half fullback Chrysander Botha, who took over the kicking duties from unsuccessful Emile Wessels, goaled an penalty before Yanyushkin did the same for Russia. 20-8 after 52 minutes.
No.8 Andrey Temnov broke in his own half and the backs attacked at speed till Yanyushkin swept over under the posts for an excellent try. 27-8 after 56 minutes. Yanyushkin then goaled a penalty and in injury time replacement scrumhalf Eniel Buitendag dived high in a tackle and scored after a break by Philander.
Just before that Kushnarev and Wally Winckler had an altercation and were sent to the sin bin.
Namibia did well enough at set pieces but their rookie loose forwards and their back, Philander apart, were outplayed.
Scorers:
For Russia:
Tries: Kushnarev, Babaev, Yanushkin
Cons: Yanushkin 3
Pens: Yanushkin 3
For Namibia:
Tries: Kazombiaze, Buitendag
Con: Botha
Pen: Botha
Teams:
Namibia: 15 Chrysander Botha, 14 McGrath van Wyk, 13 Bradley Langenhoven, 12 David Philander, 11 Llewellyn Winkler, 10 Emile Wessels, 9 Eugene Jantjies, 8 PJ van Lill, 7 Tomashu Forbes, 6 André Vermeulen, 5 Nico Esterhuizen, 4 Wacca Kazombiaze, 3 Jané du Toit (captain), 2 Hugo Horn, 1 Johnny Redelinghuys.
Replacements: 16 Shaun Esterhuizen, 17 Marius Visser, 18 Heinz Koll, 19 Renaud van Neel, 20 Eniel Buitendag, 21 Tinus Venter, 22 Daryl de la Harpe.
Coach: Johan Diergaardt, Ewert Smit
Russia: 15 Igor Kluchnikov, 14 Vasily Artemiev, 13 Mikhail Babaev, 12 Alexey Makovetskiy, 11 Alexander Gvozdovskiy, 10 Yuriy Kushnarev, 9 Alexander Yanushkin, 8 Victor Gresev, 7 Andrey Garbuzov, 6 Andrey Temnov, 5 Artem Fatakhov, 4 Alexander Voytov, 3 Alexey Travkin, 2 Evgeny Matveev, 1 Karlo Maglakelidze
Replacements: 16 Vlad Korshunov, 17 Alexander Khrokin, 18 Evgeny Pronenko, 19 Alexey Panasenko, 20 Alexey Toltykh, 21 Alexey Korobeynikov, 22 Andrey Kuzin
Coaches: Nikolay Nerush, Steve Diamond, Joshua Barksdal