Rugby World Cup 2015: Winners and Losers from Tonga vs. Namibia

Tonga recorded their first World Cup win of 2015 with a 32-21 victory over Namibia.

The Pacific Islanders also recorded a bonus point to move third in the pool with New Zealand and Argentina still to play.

Namibia went down swinging, scoring more tries in a World Cup game than they ever have before, and impressed their country's most successful sportsman, Frankie Fredericks, who was watching from the Sandy Park stands.

For the Africans, that elusive victory must now come against Georgia if they are to secure it this time round.

For Tonga, tougher tests await.

Here are your winners and losers from Tuesday's match.

Winner: Namibia's New World Cup Record

DAMIEN MEYER/Getty Images

Phil Davies’ team might not have got their longed-for victory in a Rugby World Cup, but their three tries were the most they have ever scored in a tournament match.

It was no surprise that main man Jacques Burger was responsible for two of them.

The Saracens man provided their second of the game when he was driven over, and he powered through for his second and Namibia’s third in the 67th minute.

No doubt the Africans will fancy doing better in their final Pool C clash against Georgia.

Loser: Vunga Lilo's Goalkicking

IAN MACNICOL/Getty Images

It was not a night to remember for Tongan full-back Vunga Lilo, who produced some sub-standard efforts from the kicking tee, as ESPN Scrum's Tristan Barclay tweeted.

"

Veainu flies over for Tonga's fifth. Vunga Lilo's conversion attempt pretty shocking, however #TGAvNAM #RWC2015

— Tristan Barclay (@tbarclayESPN) September 29, 2015"

Lilo could only convert two of Tonga's tries and one penalty before he was replaced by Kurt Morath.

It didn't matter in the end as Tonga ran out comfortable winners. With New Zealand and Argentina still to come, it's unlikely that goalkicking will be a decisive factor in those contests.

Winner: Kurt Morath

Stu Forster/Getty Images

It might have been a horrible night off the tee for Vunga Lilo, but it was quite the opposite for one of his colleagues.

Kurt Morath came on as a replacement in this win for Tonga and took over the goal-kicking responsibilities with historic consequences.

The Auckland-born man stepped up to nail a 72nd-minute penalty that took him one past Pierre Hola's Tongan record of 317 points.

Loser: Minnows Are Mere Cannon Fodder in Hunt for Big Prize

Stu Forster/Getty Images

One of the best aspects of rugby tournaments, from the World Sevens Series to the National Schools Cup, is the chance to fight for a lesser prize once you’re out of the main competition.

Plates, bowls, shields. Name your trinket.

The World Cup doesn’t work in the same way for the teams who make an early exit. Take your beatings, thanks for coming, off you go, see you in four years—if you make it.

Would it not be better for the development of the game if the likes of Tonga and Namibia were still playing for more than a consolation victory?

Attendances at the games between the smaller nations have been excellent at this World Cup, and with the right pricing, tickets for a plate tournament into which the bottom two sides from each pool could slip would surely attract plenty of bums on seats.

Furthermore, were a Fiji or Japan or Georgia to return home as World Cup Plate champions, what a great boost to rugby in those parts of the world where its development needs it most.

Winner: Man-of-the-Match Jack Ram

DAMIEN MEYER/Getty Images

Tonga have a habit of producing world-class back-row talent.

They have been led by the ageless Nili Latu through three World Cups, the veteran assisted over the years by the combative Epi Taione and the marauding Finau Maka, who's outlandish hairstyle won him a legion of fans at the 2007 World Cup.

And they seem to have another star this year with Jack Ram, who scored two tries and took home the man-of-the-match award for his performance:

"

MAN OF THE MATCH: 2⃣ tries, 6⃣9⃣ metres, 8⃣ carries over gainline, 1⃣ turnover & 3⃣ defenders beaten for Jack Ram! pic.twitter.com/o3NAzdauzT

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 29, 2015"