SYDNEY, 20 October 2003 — Ireland were too strong for Namibia in their Pool A match in Sydney yesterday, running out convincing 64-7 winners while Wales struggled to victory over Tonga in their Pool D match and Samoa powered past Georgia to move top of Pool C.

Back row Alan Quinlan went over for the first of Ireland’s 10 tries after only two minutes, which was converted by Ronan O’Gara, and six minutes later full-back Girvan Dempsey went over to make it 12-0.

With only half an hour gone the Irish already had the bonus point for scoring four tries thanks to further tries from Denis Hickie and Marcus Horan. O’Gara converted both to give Ireland a 26-0 lead.

Eric Miller went over under the posts five minutes later before Namibia got their first points on the board through center Corne Powell, whose try was converted by Emile Wessels to reduce the deficit to 33-7 at the break.

With the rain teeming down, Ireland continued to press in the second half running in a further five tries through Quinlan, Guy Easterby, Miller, Shane Horgan and John Kelly.

Next up for Ireland, who top Pool A on 10 points, are Argentina on Oct. 26 while Namibia face hosts Australia a day earlier.

In Pool C, Samoa overcame a tough Georgian side 46-9, running in six tries in the process to earn a bonus point.

Paliko Jimsheladze gave Georgia an early 3-0 lead with a penalty before Sailosi Tagicakibau for Samoa’s first try on nine minutes.

Earl Va’a converted to make it 7-3.

Jimsheladze narrowed the gap to 7-6 with another penalty before Va’a scored and converted Samoa’s second try to make it 14-6.

Further tries by Steven So’oialo, Semo Sititi, Dominic Feanuati Brian Lima helped Samoa run out easy winners.

Samoa next face tournament favorites England on Saturday while Georgia take on South Africa on Thursday.

Earlier, Wales suffered a major scare before beating Tonga 27-20 in Canberra.

Scrumhalf Gareth Cooper and substitute Martyn Williams got Wales’ two tries while Pierre Hola, Benhur Kivalu and Heamani Lavaka went over for Tonga, who now have no chance of progressing to the knockout stages.

Wales must now regroup for Saturday’s match against Italy while Tonga line up Friday against the mighty All Blacks.