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World Rugby U20 Trophy 2015
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Hong Kong’s Liam Owens gets across the line against Canada during their pool encounter at the World Rugby Under 20 Trophy in Portugal. Photos: World Rugby
RugbyFifteens

Roussow shines as Namibia overcome Hong Kong’s battling juniors

Under-20s to face hosts Portugal in play-off for seventh place

World Rugby U20 Trophy 2015
SCMP Reporter
SCMP Reporter
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A hat-trick of tries from Namibia fullback Divan Rossouw denied Hong Kong their first victory in the 2015 World Rugby Under 20 Trophy in Portugal on Wednesday – the southern African side running out 36-12 victors in the last of the pool matches.

Rossouw crossed twice early on at the Estadio Universitario de Lisboa, Henrique Olivier converting the second for a 12-0 lead, but with less than 15 minutes to go in the first half Hong Kong took control of the match and were rewarded with a try from Tomos Howells.

Hong Kong drew level barely five minutes into the second half after second-rower Calvin Hunter crossed over and Liam Owens added the extras.

Hong Kong are a strong team and they made us dig deep
Canada head coach Jeff Williams

But as Hong Kong appeared to run out of steam in the final quarter of the match, Namibia turned on the style to score four unanswered tries – one from second-row Johan Retief and two from captain Christo van der Merwe, before man-of-the-match Roussow saved the best until last by completing his treble with a sensational 50-metre effort.

Hong Kong will face Portugal on Sunday in the seventh-place play-off match.

In last Saturday’s pool encounter against Canada, Hong Kong gave the tournament finalists a scare before going down 24-15.

The North Americans raced to a 15-0 lead inside the first 20 minutes, but Hong Kong responded strongly and tries from Owens and Raef Morrison, plus a conversion and a penalty from skipper Hugo Stiles, kept it close until a Canada penalty just before the half stretched their lead to 21-15 and another in the last minute put the game out of reach.
Hong Kong found it tough going against Namibia on Wednesday, but held their own for long periods of the match.

After the match, Canada head coach Jeff Williams was full of praise for the effort put in by the Hong Kong juniors. “Hong Kong are a strong team and they made us dig deep,” he said.

The Canadians went on to top pool B and book their berth in Sunday’s final by edging Tonga 13-11 on Wednesday. They will meet pool A winners Georgia, who reaffirmed their status as a rising power in the world game by overcoming hosts Portugal 19-9 on Wednesday and thereby ousting pre-tournament favourites Fiji who finished third in the group.

FINAL DAY FIXTURES (Sunday, May 24)

  • 7/8 play-off: Portugal v Hong Kong
  • 5/6 play-off: Fiji v Namibia
  • 3/4 play-off: Uruguay v Tonga
  • Final: Georgia v Canada

POOL RESULTS

Pool A

  • 20/05: Georgia 19-11 Portugal
  • 20/05: Fiji 26-28 Uruguay
  • 16/05: Uruguay 37-26 Portugal
  • 16/05: Fiji 13-30 Georgia
  • 12/05: Uruguay 12-46 Georgia
  • 12/05: Fiji 34-19 Portugal

Pool B

  • 20/05: Namibia 36-12 Hong Kong
  • 20/05: Tonga 11-13 Canada
  • 16/05: Canada 24-15 Hong Kong
  • 16/05: Tonga 45-11 Namibia
  • 12/05: Canada 35-20 Namibia
  • 12/05: Tonga 35-16 Hong Kong
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