TEST RUGBY: WORLD CUP QUALIFYING; Africa CAR Division 1B

08.07.2012
Namibia v Madagascar in Antananarivo (WCQ Africa; CAR Division 1B Final)

Venue: Mahamasina Stadium

Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)

Preview
All is ready for the event of the year in the capital of this African island republic. Everybody in town will be there to see their home team battle Namibia. It’s the CAR Division 1B final and both teams will be all out to win a place in Division 1A for 2013.

Namibia in still smarting from their drop to Division 1B. Unable for financial reasons to participate in the Africa Cup finals after the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Namibia has had to front up here in Madagascar to win back their place. On Wednesday they just got up to defeat a very gallant Senegalese side.

  
Namibia just made it past Senegal on Wednesday to clinch a place in the final.

In front of them is a rugby-mad local side backed by more than 35,000 equally rugby-mad home crowd. The stadium will be packed. Hopefully there will not be a repeat of the stampede Wednesday that injured a score of spectators.

It’ll be a cracker!!

Previous Encounters
01.10.2005 Namibia 55-17 in Windhoek (CAR Div.1, Pool B)
15.06.2002 Namibia 116-0 in Windhoek (WCQ Africa R3, South; CAR 1 South)

GWC Rugby Rankings
Africa Table-Namibia 6th, Madagascar 8th

IRB Ranking Points
Namibia 61.24, Madagascar 44.31
Take no notice! Both teams will come out onto this park on equal terms!

Prediction: Namibia to just squeak in, again, by 5 points.

Teams

Namibia Squad

Johnny Redelinghuys, Callie Swanepoel, Collen Smith, Henk Franken, Heinz Koll, Tinus du Plessis (captain), Morné Blom, PJ van Lill, Eugene Jantjies (vice captain), Theuns Kotzé, Chrysander Botha, Rodger Thompson, Anthony Jevu, Danie Dames, Justin Nel, Martin Goeieman, Shaun du Preez, Herald Kasera, Petrus Human, Arthur Bouwer, Lean Stoop, Godwin Walters, Herman Ströh and Shaun Esterhuizen.

http://www.namibiasport.com.na/node/24454

Madagascar Squad

Vonjiniaina Marson Andriamananjara
Rodolphe Andriambololona (COSFA)
Tahina Herizo Andrianarisoa (3FB)
Christian Andrianjaka
José Rakoto Harison (3FB)
Bienvenu Andrianavalona Mananjarasoa (Iarivo RC)
Toussaint Boniface Rabearilala (Iarivo RC)
Rabemananjara(3FB)
Sidonie Rakotoarisoa (3FB)
Benjaniaina Rakotoarivelo (TMFA)
Hasina Rakotoarivelo (US Ikopa)
Alain Rakotonirina (3FB)
Rija Edmond Rakotoarimanana (3FB)
Donald Rakotomialoha (US Ikopa)
Herilaza Ramanoelina (Iarivo RC)
Tolotra Ramaromiantso (3FB)
Simeon Heritiana Randriamanantena
Rodolphe Randriama­nantena
Henri Bruno Rakotonirina
Herizo Rasoanaivo (3FB)
Tinanirina Ravelomanantsoa
Tolotra Claudio Ravelonomenjanahary (Savonnerie Tropicale)
Bernard Razafindranaivo (3FB)
Jacquot Hary Nirina (TAM Anosibi)
Harinirina,?
Dimbiniaina?
Jean,?
Willy?
http://www.lexpressmada.com/rugby-can-2012-madagascar/35725-madagascar-les-makis-revent-d-une-legende-.html