• New Zealand's flanker Shannon Frizell, left, and Namibia's wing JC Greyling during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match in Tokyo. AFP
    New Zealand's flanker Shannon Frizell, left, and Namibia's wing JC Greyling during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match in Tokyo. AFP
  • New Zealand's Ben Smith breaks the tackle of Nambia's Janry Du Toit at the Tokyo Stadium. EPA
    New Zealand's Ben Smith breaks the tackle of Nambia's Janry Du Toit at the Tokyo Stadium. EPA
  • All Blacks player Jordie Barrett dives over to score his sides 10th try against Namibia. Getty
    All Blacks player Jordie Barrett dives over to score his sides 10th try against Namibia. Getty
  • All Blacks player Sevu Reece races through to score his sides seventh. Getty
    All Blacks player Sevu Reece races through to score his sides seventh. Getty
  • A young fan shows her support to the All Blacks in Tokyo. Getty
    A young fan shows her support to the All Blacks in Tokyo. Getty
  • Al Blacks scrum-half TJ Perenara scores a try at the Tokyo Stadium. AFP
    Al Blacks scrum-half TJ Perenara scores a try at the Tokyo Stadium. AFP
  • All Blacks full back Ben Smith against Namibia. AFP
    All Blacks full back Ben Smith against Namibia. AFP
  • It was mainly one-way traffic in the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between the All Blacks and Namibia. AFP
    It was mainly one-way traffic in the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between the All Blacks and Namibia. AFP
  • New Zealand players acknowledge the crowd in Tokyo. AFP
    New Zealand players acknowledge the crowd in Tokyo. AFP
  • Namibia lock Tjiuee Uanivi vies for the ball at the Tokyo Stadium. AFP
    Namibia lock Tjiuee Uanivi vies for the ball at the Tokyo Stadium. AFP
  • France's wing Alivereti Raka, left, jumps for the ball during the Pool C match against Tonga at the Kumamoto Stadium. AFP
    France's wing Alivereti Raka, left, jumps for the ball during the Pool C match against Tonga at the Kumamoto Stadium. AFP
  • Latiume Fosita of Tonga runs with the ball at the Kumamoto Stadium. Getty
    Latiume Fosita of Tonga runs with the ball at the Kumamoto Stadium. Getty
  • France's wing Alivereti Raka, centre, is tackled at the Kumamoto Stadium. AFP
    France's wing Alivereti Raka, centre, is tackled at the Kumamoto Stadium. AFP
  • Fans watch the Pool C game between France and Tonga in Kumamoto. AP
    Fans watch the Pool C game between France and Tonga in Kumamoto. AP
  • France centre Sofiane Guitoune, left, with his son Lenny after the win against Tonga. AFP
    France centre Sofiane Guitoune, left, with his son Lenny after the win against Tonga. AFP
  • France's wing Damian Penaud is tackled. AFP
    France's wing Damian Penaud is tackled. AFP
  • Antoine Dupont of France in action during the match against Tonga. EPA
    Antoine Dupont of France in action during the match against Tonga. EPA
  • Damian Penaud of France and Tonga playser vie for a ball in the air during the Rugby World Cup match between France and Tonga in Kumamoto, Japan. EPA
    Damian Penaud of France and Tonga playser vie for a ball in the air during the Rugby World Cup match between France and Tonga in Kumamoto, Japan. EPA
  • Charles Ollivon of France in Kumamoto. EPA
    Charles Ollivon of France in Kumamoto. EPA

Rugby

All Blacks too good for Namibia, France stumble into quarter-finals – in pictures

African side battle to within a point at 10-9 before New Zealand storm to 71-9 win

The National

October 07, 2019

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New Zealand side recovered from an indifferent start and two yellow cards to crush Namibia 71-9 and move one step closer to finishing top of their pool at the Rugby World Cup on Sunday.

Namibia came within a point at 10-9 after half an hour before the two-time defending champions raced away to better their 58-14 victory over the Welwitschias at the 2015 World Cup.

It put the All Blacks top of Pool B after three matches. Meanwhile, France survived a Tonga fightback to grind into the quarter-finals with a nerve-jangling 23-21 win.

You can see a selection of the best images from the action in the photo gallery above. To move on to the next image, click on the arrows, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.

FranceRugbyRugby World CupNew Zealand