Ireland won the match, Namibia won the hearts.
Well before the end of Ireland's 32-17 defeat of the African underdogs, the French crowd at Bordeaux's Stade Chaban-Delmas was chanting "Allez Les Bleus!" -- a chant normally reserved for French national sides -- as Namibia outscored the Irish 14-12 in the second half.
"We are happy for our supporters and thank you to the French public which cheered for us all game," Namibia captain Kees Lensing said.
Brian O'Driscoll marked his return from injury with a classy try in the 4th minute and Ireland built a 20-0 lead in the first half before sloppy handling and Namibia's inspired play pegged them back and the Africans could at least take pride in recording their smallest ever margin of defeat.
"We got looser and looser as the game went on, we lost our shape and made individual errors," Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan said. "It was a very poor performance and we've got to take a long look at ourselves."
Ireland captain O'Driscoll was playing for the first time since a punch in the face from Bayonne lock forward Mikaera Tewhata fractured his sinus in a warmup game with the French club less than three weeks ago.
He showed no ill effects from the injury, scoring Ireland's first try with a neat chip and gather to score.
Ireland then dominated before the break before flyhalf Emile Wessels scored a penalty with the last kick of the half to make it 20-3.
The Irish stretched further ahead with a penalty try in the 49th minute, but that sparked Namibia's stirring comeback. Flanker Jacques Nieuwenhuis and then center Piet van Zyl crossed for tries within five minutes of one another to bring the score back to 27-17 by the 64th minute.
Only a disputed try by substitute Jerry Flannery in the 76th minute gave the Irish score a sense of respectability.
The bonus point Ireland earned for scoring four tries sent it to the top of Group D above Argentina, who upset France 17-12 in the opening match of the World Cup.
Namibia, who were humiliated 105-13 by South Africa in a World Cup warmup, were the better side after the break against Ireland, although they never quite looked like breaking their record seven-match World Cup losing streak and have still to record a first World Cup win.
Ireland laid the foundation of their victory in the first half. After O'Driscoll's try, Ronan O'Gara extended the lead in the 17th minute with a penalty after the Namibians had infringed at the ruck.
He then took a quick tap penalty in the 19th minute and kicked across field straight into the arms of Andrew Trimble, who only had to touch the ball down for a try.
Namibia's tough defense kept Ireland at bay for another 13 minutes before Llanelli lock Simon Easterby scored through a pile of players on the line to make it 20-0 on the half hour.
The Namibians piled on the pressure as the halftime whistle approached, and were finally rewarded when Wessels scored a penalty with the last kick of the half after Ireland were penalized for not releasing in the ruck.
Namibia again stifled Ireland's attacking intent early in the second half until the Irish turned down a penalty and opted instead to pack down close to Namibia's line. French referee Joel Jutge then awarded a penalty try after the Africans repeatedly pulled down the scrum.
But that triggered the Namibian comeback, with Nieuwenhuis scoring on the hour after a strong run by Ryan Witbooi carved open Ireland's defensive line.
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