Fiji produced an uneven performance in Beziers last night, but it was still way too good for World Cup newcomers Namibia as the 1987 quarter-finalists ran out easy winners in their Pool C match.

The Africans, made up of fanatical amateurs - mostly farmers who travel hundreds of kilometres to train - had much to be proud of, scoring two tries to Fiji's nine with fly-half Waisale Serevi scoring 22 points.

The Fiji tries included a terrific brace from winger Fero Lasagavibau, but also one by Emori Katalau which was given despite him clearly dropping the ball before crossing the line.

Namibia scored first when full back Leandre van Dyk landed their second penalty, awarded by referee David McHugh.

The Fijians hit back immediately as 23-year-old Lasagavibau touched down after a free-flowing move from one side of the pitch to the other, and they scored an even better try a quarter-of-an hour into the match when Serevi came into the line twice to create the overlap and release winger Imanueli Tikomaimakogai.

Scorers: Fiji: Tries - Lasagavibau (2), Katalau, Mocelutu, Rauluni, Satala, Smith, S Tawake, Tikomaimakogai; Cons - Serevi (8); Pens - Serevi (2). Namibia: Tries - Jacobs, Senekal; Con - Van Dyk; Pens - Van Dyk (2)

Fiji: Rouse, Smith, Vetayaki, Katalau, Raiwalui, Naevo, S. Tawake, Mocelutu, Rauluni Serevi, Tikomaimakogai, Sotutu, Satala, Lasagavibau, Uluinayau. Replacements: Little for Lasagavibau (71); Sewabu for Naevo (54); Naituvau for Vetayaki (47). Replacements not used: Nakauta, Raulini, I Tawake, Rasila.

Namibia: Jacobs, Horn, Opperman, Senekal, Steyn, Hough, Olivier, Furter, Jantjies, Zaayman, Mouton, van der Merwe, Samuelsen, Farmer, van Dyk. Replacements: Van Wyk for Mouton (40); G Van Rensburg for Farmer (49); Blaauw for Hopperman (63); S van Rensburg for Zaayman (75); Smith for Horn (76). Replacements not used: Lintvelt, Theron.

Referee: D McHugh (Ireland).