Uruguay stage second-half rally to keep Namibia winless

LLYON, France : Fullback Baltazar Amaya scored two tries as Uruguay overturned a halftime deficit to defeat Namibia 36-26 for a bonus-point win on Wednesday, sending the African team home from another World Cup without a victory.

The South Americans also scored tries through German Kessler, Santiago Arata and winger Bautista Basso as they claimed a fourth World Cup victory in their history with one final pool match against the All Blacks to come.

"The players are incredible, I am very proud of them," said Uruguay coach Esteban Meneses.

"Namibia are a very tough team in the contact. They have very fast backs. We made the difference in the lineout, maul and scrum."

Namibia made a great start with a try from Gerswin Mouton in the opening minute and led 20-12 at the break but were unable to sustain their level in the second half and fell to a 26th World Cup defeat going back to their debut in 1999.

Neither team had any hope or expectation of making it to the quarter-finals from a tough Pool A but there was still plenty to play for in front of a crowd of 49,432 at OL Stadium.

Uruguay had troubled France and Italy but were still looking for a win to confirm their progress, while Namibia were desperate to finally end their winless streak after big losses to the pool heavyweights.

As expected, Uruguay ran the ball from their first lineout possession but a wild pass left winger Mouton with the simple task of plucking it up and racing 60 metres to score.

LITTLE FORWARD

JC Greyling got into the act on the other wing 10 minutes later, freed up by a pass that looked a little forward to score in the left corner and give Namibia a 14-0 lead.

Uruguay roared back and showed forward muscle of their own on the Namibian line in the 19th minute,