Filed under: Rugby Union, Rugby World Cup, Internationals
Vereniki Goneva etched his name into World Cup history after becoming the first Fiji player to score a hat-trick at the tournament as his country eased past Namibia.Goneva registered four tries in an eventful 49-25 victory to set Fiji up for their eagerly awaited clash with South Africa next week.
Namibia led 9-7 after three successive drop goals from Theuns Kotze but Leone Nakarawa went over the line before Goneva took control.
He became only the 11th player to record a World Cup hat-trick and Naipolioni Nalaga completed a relatively simple, but thoroughly entertaining, afternoon.
Sam Domoni, the Fiji coach admitted: "The boys have been eager to get this game over and done with and now all the cobwebs and emotions are out of the way we are looking forward to next week against South Africa."
At least Namibia could console themselves with the fact that Kotze's hat-trick of drop goals ensured he became only the fourth player to do it at a World Cup.
Namibia coach Johan Diergaardt said: "We made some silly mistakes in the first half and let some easy tries in but I am very proud of the way the guys came back and it is typical of our character."
France recorded a comfortable 47-21 victory over unfancied Japan at the North Harbour Stadium, racing away with the game late on after a flurry of tries.
Japan were only trailing 25-21 after sustaining a brave challenge before scores from Lionel Nallet, Pascal Pape and Morgan Parra saved them from embarrassment.
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