While the pre-tournament favourites Scotland A and the Argentina Jaguars have suffered two successive defeats on the opening match days of the IRB Nations Cup, Namibia have been the toast of Bucharest alongside Italy A.

Both sides won second victories on Tuesday, against Scotland A and Georgia respectively and now stand a win away from a first ever Nations Cup title.

The situation is all the more remarkable for the Namibians, who had never won a Nations Cup match before this year.

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"I would like to thank players for having a great attitude and character here, I think the difference has been that attitude," the team's proud coach Johan Diertgaartd told Total Rugby Radio.

"We've come to the party not just to take part but to be competitive and start winning and I would also like the people of our country to believe that we can win. We've been great leaders in the past and we're busy building that culture again."

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While the Italians face Romania on Sunday in the third and final round at the Arcul de Triumpf Stadium, the Namibians face fellow Rugby World Cup qualifiers Georgia.

Should both sides win their matches, the overall winner will be decided on points difference with Italy currently holding the advantage by 13 points.

"It puts a little pressure on us going into the Georgia game but we'll go into the game the same as we have done. We have to win it and that's what we'll try to do.

Namibia: Georgia will be tough

"Georgia will be tough, they'll come hard at us and we expect them to give their best and we will give them our piece of pie too!"

Hosts Romania kick-started their campaign on Tuesday with an impressive 24-8 win against the Jaguars, adding to what has been a festival atmosphere in the country's capital city.

"It's a great tournament to take part in. Bucharest is a great city and we are not professionals so we need to give the guys a little relaxing time, socialising and time to learn about the country too.

"I'm from the old guard and I believe that rugby is a starting point for friendship, for socialising and learning about other people's cultures," added Diertgaartd, for whom this tournament is also a priceless exercise a little over one year out from the World Cup in New Zealand, where the Namibians will line up against South Africa, Wales, Fiji and Samoa in pool play.

"Being part of the World Cup is a dream, especially with it being in New Zealand. We were part of the last three World Cups but this time we aim not just to be part of the party, we'll be part of the competition."