Fiji 67 Namibia 18

The magical Sevens-style of the Southern Seas came to Beziers as Fiji clocked up a national record 67 points over the brave Namibians.  Included in their nine tries were two from flying right winger Fero Lasagavibau, but the influence of coach, former All Black front row Brad Johnstone was also evident in an amount of forward power that would never have been expected from the side before his reign.  That forward power was most obvious in the set piece, where Namibia won just 52 percent of their own lineouts and lost three scrums against the head.  Behind this dashing performance was the old retainer, mercurial fly-half Waisale Serevi, who made ten of eleven attempts at goal, several of which were touchline conversions after dashing scores down the flanks.  Fiji racked up 43 points before the break and, despite allowing two scores from the Southern Africans early in the second period, stepped on the gas when it was needed in order to preserve a comfortable cushion.  A try from Jacob Rauluni finished off the scoring three minutes into time added on and the Fijians must now be favourites to go at least as far as the quarter-final playoffs.  Tomorrow's game between Canada and pool hosts France will give a better indication of which teams are strongest in this, the weakest of groups.

The Teams:

Fiji:  1 Dan Rouse, 2 Greg Smith (c), 3 Joeli Veitayaki, 4 Emori Katalau, 5 Simon Raiwalui, 6 Alfi Mocelutu Vuivau, 7 Apisai Naevo, 8 Setareki Tawake Naivaluwaqa, 9 Jacob Rauluni, 10 Waisale Serevi, 11 Fero Lasagavibau, 12 Viliame Satala, 13 Waisake Sotutu, 14 Imanueli Tikomaimakogai, 15 Alfred Uluinayau
Reserves:  Lawrence Little, Epeli Naituvau, Meli Nakauta, Koli Sewabu
Unused:  Mosese Rauluni, Isaia Rasila, Ifereimi Tawake

Namibia:  1 Mario Jacobs, 2 Hugo Horn, 3 Joodt Opperman, 4 Heino Senekal, 5 Pieter Steyn, 6 Quinn Hough (c), 7 Jaco Olivier, 8 Sean Furter, 9 Riaan Jantjies, 10 Johan Zaayman, 11 Dirk Farmer, 12 Attie Samuelson, 13 Schalk Van Der Merwe, 14 Deon Mouton, 15 Lean Van Dyk
Reserves:  Andries Blaauw, Herman Lintvelt, Eben Smith, Johannes Theron, Glovin Van Wyk, Sarel Janse Van Rensburg, Francois Van Rensburg

Attendance:  10000
Referee:  Mchugh d

Points Scorers:

Fiji
Tries:  Katalau E.S. 1, Lasagavibau F.T. 2, Mocelutu Vuibau A. 1, Rauluni J. 1, Satala V. 1, Smith G.J. 1, Tawake Naivaluwaqa S 1, Tikomaimakogai I. 1
Conv:  Serevi W.T. 8
Pen K.:  Serevi W.T. 2

Namibia
Tries:  Jacobs M. 1, Senekal H. 1
Conv:  Van Dyk L. 1
Pen K.:  Van Dyk L. 2