In the context of an intensely demanding Pool B, this proved to be a near-perfect evening for Ireland in Nantes. An attacking bonus level was secured by half-time, the sport all however received. The inspirational and insatiable captain, Johnny Sexton, crossed for his third strive of the match, overtaking Ronan O’Gara to develop into his nation’s main points scorer.
A strive, 4 conversions and a penalty made it a 16-point return for Sexton, transferring his whole to 1,090. The Leinster fly-half downplayed the record afterwards, saying one other fluent Irish victory was not about particular person achievements, on the similar time conceding it was a “lovely personal milestone”.
“He deserved to have it like that, didn’t he?” stated the Ireland head coach, Andy Farrell, of Sexton’s record-breaking second. “I think he would say that’s his job, to kick goals and score tries every now and again. But that doesn’t make him. What does make him is how he leads his men every single weekend.”
Ireland scored eight tries, making it 20 in two matches, however maybe most significantly they got a big bodily take a look at by Tonga, who have been as hungry and well-drilled as Farrell had predicted.
Boasting 4 former New Zealand internationals in their beginning XV, Tonga hit onerous and infrequently. They competed fiercely on the breakdown in the primary quarter, successful penalties and producing turnover ball.
It was clear Ireland would have their work lower out – the issue for Tonga was their very own failure to construct any form of lasting continuity in assault for themselves.With 1 / 4 of the match gone Ireland have been being held at 3-3, the fly-half William Havili having cancelled out Sexton’s early penalty with a candy strike of his personal. But the second quarter was a distinct story, and predictably it was the attention of Sexton that first ripped open Tonga’s defence. The fly-half fizzed an ideal cross for the sprinting Caelan Doris, charging into the 22, who offloaded neatly for Tadhg Beirne to stretch for the tryline beneath the posts on 21 minutes.
It had been nip and tuck, however when Solomone Kata needlessly adopted via on James Lowe, the consequence was a penalty kicked for the nook by Sexton. Doris barged over following one other clean set piece – considerably, after just a few hiccups against Romania final week, Ireland received 21 of 23 lineouts.
Mack Hansen was quickly reducing in from the best after extra fluid passing. The wing collected a bouncing ball and danced previous Salesi (previously Charles) Piutau and past a number of extra challenges to cross for Ireland’s third strive.
Two minutes earlier than half-time, one other slick Irish passing transfer ended with Garry Ringrose offloading to Sexton. The irrepressible 38-year-old glided beneath the posts and scored, celebrating demonstratively along with his teammates having surpassed O’Gara.
That four-try burst seemingly overwhelmed Tonga however to their credit score, they promptly brought on issues on the different finish. The Ireland No 6, Peter O’Mahony, was proven a yellow card earlier than Vaea Fifita’s sniping rating gave the Pacific islanders some hope. The half-time scoreboard learn 31-13, with Havili registering two neat penalties and a conversion.
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After half-time, with Sexton withdrawn and Ireland’s front row freshened up, Havili kicked another penalty and narrowed the gap to 15, with Ireland’s replacement front-rower Rob Herring then denied a try for a double movement.
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But the Tongan defence was visibly tiring, with Lowe and then Bundee Aki (twice) crossing to put the match beyond Toutai Kefu’s spirited players. Herring eventually got his try with the clock in the red.
“We’re delighted to get five points against a very good team,” Sexton told ITV. “That’s what tonight was about. We move on. We’re concentrating now on a massive game next week. Playing against the world champions – it’s going to be very special.”
All eyes on next Saturday in Paris, then. The Springboks will be a rather different proposition, but on this evidence, Ireland have nothing to fear.
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