Minnows leave the pools in style

14 October 2015 - 02:03 By Archie Henderson

The little guys have left the party and none of them disgraced themselves. Japan became the first team to win three pool matches at a World Cup yet not reach the play-offs. Such were the vagaries of Pool B - and the value of bonus points - that a team they beat (the Boks) finished top.After beating the US 28-18 at Gloucester they got a royal send-off from The Shed, rugby's equivalent of The Kop at Anfield.No less poignant was the departure of Namibia, winless but enterprising and gutsy. The tournament was a wonderful send-off for their fine skipper, Jacques Burger, who is retiring.Another departing Namibian was Johnny Redelinghuys, the front-rower, who made a plea - probably in vain - for more help from World Rugby."It's always a financial problem [for rugby] in countries like ours," he said after defeat by Argentina.He might also have made some history when he attempted, but failed, with a conversion of the match's last try by Eugene Jantjies. With that kick, did Redelinghuys become the first prop since Okey Geffin in 1949 to take a kick at goal?At least Namibia could also say they lasted a day longer at Rugby World Cup 2015 than England...

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