10 things you didn't know about Namibian rugby

Here are 10 things you may not know about Namibian rugby.

1) Cricket score
Australia opened up against Namibia, winning 142-0 in their 2003 "clash" at Adelaide Oval, the home of legendary willow wielder Sir Donald Bradman.

A few stats: Australia had 72 per cent possession, Namibia missed 81 tackles, the crowd was an impressive 28,000 although reports said they left the ground unimpressed. Little wonder, given that Namibia - coached by Kiwi Dave Waterston - rested leading players preferring to target the game against Romania. They lost that by 30 points.

2) Political football
South African soldiers are said to have brought rugby to the country around 1916 after "liberating" what was then South West Africa from German rule. Namibia were battlers in domestic Currie Cup competition before striking out on their own in 1990, when the country gained independence. Namibia has been crushed in their only two games against their former masters.

3) Rudi awakening
Rudi Van Vuuren - a doctor - is the first man to compete in rugby and cricket World Cup finals in the same year, a feat unlikely to be matched. In the 2003 cricket tournament, the medium pacer was smashed for a then-record 28 runs in one over by Aussie Darren "Boof" Lehmann. On the plus side, he took five English wickets at Port Elizabeth, and missed Namibia's record 142 - 0 rugby loss to Australia.

4) Selection headache
As if Namibia's prospects weren't tough enough, coach Danie Vermeulen quit just three months before the World Cup started. He had numerous problems including a power struggle with Welshman Phil Davies - the team advisor who is now head coach - about who should select the side. Vermeulen, paralysed in a 2000 car crash, said the final straw was the union's refusal to replace his wheelchair which was stolen during the team's trip to Tunisia.

5) Stuck record
Namibia's World Cup record is bleak: played 15, lost 15.

6) Nine lives
Loose forward and captain Jacques Burger is, by far, Namibia's best rated player. The wild-haired action man - who plays for English club Saracens - has paid a price for his legendary toughness, enduring nine major operations in six years. He was so good in New Zealand four years ago that pundits put him in their team of the tournament.

7) Hidden in plain sight
The "administration" of Namibia (or South West Africa as it was) by South Africa obscured some of its contribution to world rugby. Namibian born players include a couple of Springbok legends. Percy Montgomery, the graceful fullback with before-their-time flashy boots, was born in South-West Africa. The late Jan Ellis, a magnificent Springboks flanker of the 1960s and 70s, was raised there and played most of his representative rugby in that country.

8) Abroad brush
Eleven of the World Cup squad are based in South Africa, 10 in Namibia, six in France, two in England, and one each in New Zealand and Romania. The foreign-based players mainly play at lower levels. The home-based players are amateurs.

9) Straying from home
Outside back Dave Philander was so impressed with Gisborne when it hosted Namibia during the 2011 tournament that he moved there with his wife, helped by the Poverty Bay union. After playing for Poverty Bay the 28-year-old has shifted to Taranaki, looking to break into the big time. Philander scored five tries for the Taranaki development side against Bay of Plenty last year.

10) Odd odds
One British bookie is offering 990/1 on a Namibian victory against the All Blacks.