Pool D:If you're scratching around for positives - and there were very few from an Irish perspective - the main one has to be simply that Ireland won the game with a bonus point. They now have to put it behind them and move on but it'll be difficult just because this effort was so unsatisfactory.

In some respects - and this is in no way to disparage Namibia, who produced a gutsy display that arguably deserved more - Ireland were fortunate that it was the African side and not one of the stronger teams in the tournament, because they would have lost.

You have to feel sorry for the Namibians. The only facet of the game in which the Irish outshone them was in the scrum, which led to a penalty try and forced the turnover for Jerry Flannery's try that shouldn't have been given. I'm amazed it didn't go to the video referee and feel if it had been at the other end of the pitch it would have.

It was a poor decision.

This was a really substandard display in so many areas. Ireland never put a structure on the game and made so many errors that they invited Namibia back into the match. If they don't absorb the lessons from this match, then they'll be in serious trouble. You can look at every aspect of the performance and find fault.

In the end they have to be thankful that they managed to get the minimum acceptable return.

It'll show the mettle of the squad in how they respond to this display and in some respects they're fortunate to have Georgia up next - that game will provide the chance to try and rediscover a little form and rhythm.

It was a messy first-half performance but I thought it would be sorted out at the interval and that Ireland would go on and score 40 points in the second half.

Instead a spiralling error rate allowed the Namibians to get field position first and they made the most of it.

You certainly couldn't fault the Irish application in the first half and in some respects you could probably point to Ireland trying too hard at times. That eagerness can be a pitfall when you're playing a team you're expected to beat well.

You try and inject pace and get width on the game but to successfully manage that the basic tenets of rugby have to be there. Ireland snatched at a couple of try-scoring opportunities that could have made things much easier by knocking some of the heart out of the Namibian challenge.

It's important to vary the game, especially in trying to tie in the opposing forwards. The direct approach can be very effective because you commit forwards to rucks and in carrying ball on the fringes you make them tackle and that eventually takes a toll. It's the equivalent of a long-term investment in terms of the result.

Obviously Ireland would have been aware going into the game, following Argentina's win over France, that Pool D could come down to points difference, and that induces its own pressure because there is a massive emphasis on chasing tries.

To be successful, however, it's important to be composed and precise, qualities that underpin any victory.

Ireland probably tried too many 50-50 passes out of the tackle, looking to force the issue instead of being content to work their opportunities: patience is a virtue in this type of Test match.

It meant that for the opening 40 minutes Ireland were a little untidy, spilling passes, coughing up a couple of lineouts for crooked in and not being as direct as they might have been.

I thought Ronan O'Gara was lying a little bit too deep and needed to come up a little more flat so that he would pose more of a running threat and at least keep the Namibian defence a little more honest.

In terms of the tournament favourites, New Zealand, I thought their opening 30 minutes against Italy were pretty unbelievable. Assistant coach Wayne Smith described it as 15 guys like shaken coke cans ready to explode.

The game showcased their skill levels and ability to strike from deep, particularly out wide.

Their ability to pass out of the tackle and the intelligent lines run by supporting players were pretty devastating.

They were content to play territory at times, kicking deep and ensuring a strong and organised chasing line.

There are still things to work on. Italy managed to drive productively from lineouts and I don't believe the All Blacks will get too carried away.

England, in contrast, won't be too enamoured of their performance, but I expect they'll be better next Friday.

I was heartened by the efforts of some of the so-called minnows - the USA, Canada and Samoa - they produced gutsy performances that hinted at what they might achieve if they were afforded the same sort of financial backing and preparatory time the elite nations enjoy.

And last night Namibia joined that number. It would be encouraging for the sport if the IRB gave these nations increased financial backing. A stronger global game would be a huge boost for the sport.