NAM eve of match (v ITA): coach Proudfoot, Hardwick, Conradie

Comments from Namibia assistant coach Matt Proudfoot, number eight Richard Harwick and flanker Wian Conradie at a media briefing before their Pool A match on Saturday against Italy.

Matt Proudfoot, assistant coach 

On whether as a former South Africa and England assistant coach, he is surprised to be in Namibian colours: 

"Surprised? Well, rugby is a strange game. The thing I am pleased about is to be contributing to a team that is growing, to be involved in an environment where players are working incredibly hard. 

"Anything happens in international sport, (so) no, I am not surprised, just really pleased to be part of this group of players and see how they work." 

On what has surprised him about this Namibia squad: 

"Their work ethic is really surprising for me, how hard they've worked. I must say a big thank you to World Rugby and the support they've given the [developing] nations. It's incredible to see when they have that structure how the players develop. The potential of the players is what has impressed me."

On what he has been able to bring to Namibia since joining them in late July:

"I suppose what I have brought to it is an eye on the gap between where performance nations are and the top tier nations and just to help the players to create a mechanism for themselves to close that gap. The more we can expose players that aren't playing in [SANZAAR/Six Nations] countries to that type of environment, the better the game is going to be. 

"If you look at the top of the table, how close games are, anybody can beat anybody and if you look at the [World Rugby] rankings from 20-50, it's probably similar so we want to try and elevate that. It's just been incredible with the backing World Rugby has provided to create a high performance environment and see how the players have grown." 

On his assessment of an Italy side he believes is on the up:

"It is a very different Italian team. In the Six Nations they've really shown the ability to play. The top sides, Ireland and France, have struggled against them - really, really struggled against them.

"Kieran (Crowley, Italy's head coach) has really created an unbelievable environment in Italian rugby. The junior structures are phenomenal, what they have been doing at Junior World Cups. 

"If you think maybe 10 years ago or more, when I was playing it was probably a set piece-orientated Italy. (Now) they are probably more of a continuity based team, great passing, great running." 

On how Namibia can compete with this 'new' Italy: 

"For us it is about being brave, it's about having belief in what we have done. If you look at our journey we've had to go away on the road and win away on the road to qualify. Going to South America in our build-up, we were really competitive in two games and then got across the line in the third. So that belief in the side is there and when you have a team that has a lot of belief, that is a threat. We won't go away."

On how Namibian rugby is going to move forwards: 

"The challenge for Namibia will be to fill that gap between their semi-professional club structure and their professional team that plays in South Africa. That is what they are probably going to be looking to do going forwards, in the next cycle, to create a professional domestic competition."

On his assessment of South Africa, having been part of the coaching staff when they won Rugby World Cup 2019:

"They are a very, very serious contender, one of the top teams going into this competition. They are peaking at the right time, they are playing well. They've got 90 per cent of their players fit, so good luck."

Richard Hardwick, number eight

On what, as a Super Rugby player, has has been able to add to the squad:

"I am just trying to learn from the coaching staff. We have an unbelievable coaching staff. I am trying to get better personally and then the learnings over my career in Super Rugby and all the games I have played, it's trying to bring it back and help people grow and get better. 

"We've done an unbelievable job of where we started two months ago and we've built our way up to where we are now. The fundamental work-rate and fight in the team was already there. I just try to do my bit."

On Melbourne Rebels team-mate Monty Ioane, who lines up for Italy:

"We've actually got a very good relationship. In Super Rugby I kept prodding him about not scoring any tries and unfortunately he didn't catch up to me. But no, he's an athlete. He understands the game a lot, he likes getting in the game. He likes attacking. That is going to be a threat to us. Off the field we are going to be friends but for that 80 minutes, we are going to be going after each other." 

Wian Conradie, flanker

On his view, as a club player in the USA, of the state of rugby in the United States:

"It is a growing league. There is a good quality of players playing in the league which is always helpful in terms of growing rugby in America. Over my last couple of seasons I have seen the sport growing before my eyes. There is a lot of support coming in which is always nice to see. 

"They've got a couple of years going into the World Cup in 2031, so there is still enough time for it be one of the top leagues in the world."

On 'making the nation proud' being Namibia's driving motivation: 

"Ultimately, we are just focused on making sure we achieve our goals as a collective and making our nation proud. That is probably the most important part. We have got a lot of people and home support backing us, people looking all across the world at players playing for the Namibian side so ultimately we just want to make them proud."