Namibia lost 47-22 to Italy at the Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka in its opening Pool B match at the 2019 Rugby World Cup on Sunday.

The Namibians were outscored by the Italians seven tries to three in wet conditions. Flyhalf Tommaso Allan led the way with 11 points for the Italians while his opposite number Cliven Loubser scored 9 points for the Namibians.

Namibia were first to register points on the board when Damian Stevens crossed the whitewash in the fifth minute. Cliven Loubser successfully kicked the conversion to give them a 7-0 lead.

The Italians drew level through a penalty try in the 10^th minute and then took the lead 15 minutes later through Tommaso Allan who dotted down and converted his own effort.

Italy pulled further ahead with another try from Tito Tebaldi which Allan converted to give the Italians a 21-7 lead at the break.

Two converted tries in three minutes following the restart from Mattia Bellini and Carlo Canna saw Italy stretch their lead to 35-7.

However, a penalty from Loubser and a try by JC Greyling saw Namibia reduce the deficit to 20 points.

Italy snuffed any hopes of a comeback when Jake Polledri and Matteo Minozzi dotted down with Canna successfully converting one effort to make it 47-15.

Namibia had the last say in the match when Chad Plato scored a late try and Loubser kicked the conversion as the game ended 47-22.

The game saw 36-year-old Italian captain Sergio Parisse, who won his 141^st international cap, become only the third man to play in five World Cups, alongside Mauro Bergamasco (Italy) and Brian Lima (Samoa).

Namibia next faces South Africa on September 28 while Italy plays Canada on September 26.

Source(s): World Rugby