There was speed, invention and no little skill from both teams.
Namibia have been a revelation at this World Cup. They barely even have an oily rag to run off are absolute rank amateurs, have to fit training in around blokes who spend their days doing real jobs and yet there they were pushing Tonga to the wire.
There was an endearing quality to their bravery and commitment but they can't be sold as a team simply living off their character. They played some good rugby. They were organised, certain and willing to take risks. Their awareness was good - better than England's when they played Wales.
A justice of sorts would be served if they could win a game at this World Cup. It would have been a deserved reward for their inspirational captain Jacques Burger who scored two tries.
It's doubtful there will be a player who can say he throws himself about with more venom than Namibian captain Jacques Burger.
He made for fascinating viewing, seemingly playing a different game to everyone else. He waits, he prowls and then he pounces.
Maybe it has something to do with growing up around wildlife, but he has the most refined hunting instincts and an incredible capacity to make every contact nigh on cataclysmic.
But it would have been a stretch to say Namibia deserved their first win against Tonga.
The Tongans played, on balance, more rugby and while they will be disappointed with their second half where they drifted out of the game, losing their structure and control after Hale T-Pole went off with what appeared to be a serious injury, they did enough to restore their pride.
The Tongans were happy for things to be physical, having as they do, a penchant for that sort of stuff themselves. A full-blooded, contest was just the ticket to put the disappointment of losing to Georgia behind them.
Tonga will feel satisfied they played about as much rugby as could be expected.
They scrummaged superbly and that's an aspect the All Blacks will hope Tonga take to St James Park. New Zealand would enjoy nothing more than a solid workout in the set-piece.
They created plenty, moved the ball into the right places and were clinical for long enough to get the points they needed.
Tonga 35 (T. Veainu (2), J. Ram (2), L. Fosita tries; V. Lilo 2 cons, pen; K. Morath pen)
Namibia 21 (J. Tromp, J. Burger (2) tries; T. Kotze 3 cons)
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