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Namibian squad have taken time off from their day jobs to make it to the World Cup

Chad Plato celebrates after scoring a try for Namibia against Italy. (Photo by Ken Ishii / Getty Images)

The enormity of Namibia’s task in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup clash against South Africa can be fathomed from the fact that 70 per cent of their squad remain amateurs, including loose-forward Thomasau Forbes who has taken time off from his job in a bank to play in Japan.

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The 30-year-old will make his World Cup debut against the Springboks at the City of Toyota Stadium, and along with a number of his teammates juggles rugby with his day job, something that requires an extra dose of commitment.

“I’ve got a good relationship with my work, so for the past two months they were quite lenient with me leaving when I needed to,” Forbes told reporters ahead of the Pool B clash with their heavyweight neighbours.

“I wake up at 5.30am for a morning session in the gym and finish at 8.30am. I get to work at 9am, work throughout lunch, sometimes eating at my desk.

“I finish at 4.30pm and go back to the field again. Then back home at 8pm maybe, eat, pack my bag for the next day and sleep.”

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It is a gruelling schedule, but one that is necessary if he is to put food on the table and realise his ambition of playing international rugby.

“I enjoy this much more than the day job, that’s for sure. It’s always special playing for your country, especially at a World Cup.

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“I’m going to make the most of it while I’m here and then see what happens.”

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Namibia opened their Pool B campaign with a 47-22 loss to Italy and were thrashed 87-0 by the Springboks the last time they met at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

But coach Phil Davies is appreciative of the effort and sacrifice his home-based players put into their rugby.

“When you’ve got a bunch of players like that with that kind of attitude, you know you’ve got a chance to progress,” he said.

“Their effort and commitment over the past four years is phenomenal. Their love for playing for Namibia and putting the fish eagle (badge) on their chest is inspirational.”

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Reece Hodge was hit with a three-week ban for his dangerous tackle in the Wallabies’ match with Fiji, but what he revealed during his hearing left many surprised:

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C
CO 19 minutes ago
Forget Ireland, the All Blacks face the real alpha of Europe next

I cannot believe that you don't think the French rugby team coach and captain are not discussing putting Jalibert on the bench in favour of Duponts club teammate that doesn't even play at 10.


This is a terrible, massive insult to a 10 and I'm sure Dupont would also be very enraged if benched for a player that doesn't even play halfback.


A good captain would've insisted to the coach that it was an idea of madness and either select Jalibert or replace him with another 10 if you want him to be reserve.


Jalibert may not be the world's finest tacklers but that's often not a tens main strength that the loose forwards and second five cover. An intercept pass is never great but they happen.


When any player is playing for his club then it's club first, respect doesn't need to be shown to opposition players simply because they're internationals.


Who exactly are you claiming Jalibert hasn't respected? If it's Toulouse international players then it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this bench demotion out.


The outcome of selecting Jalibert to the bench and he then throwing his croissants out the window of the team bus immediately prior to playing the Allblacks is a disaster that will be team disharmony as any team mates of Jalibert are in a state of anger and revolt so a performance that will be sub optimal against a team that is thirsting for revenge against France.


I don't know about you but the Allblacks are very upset they've lost twice in a row to France and want to put out a statement performance so this preparation by Galthie of creating havoc looks to me like a coach that is clueless.

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