Ireland player ratings vs Japan
This wasn’t meant to happen. Having seen off Scotland with a demolition job in the Yokohama rain, Ireland were supposed to turn up in Shizuoka six days later and give host nation Japan a similar buffeting.
However, that never materialised. Despite initially looking good value for an early 12-3 lead, Ireland were not the team of last weekend and they ultimately paid an embarrassingly heavy price, allowing Japan to rumbustiously hit back and shake up yet World Cup in the process.
What was galling for Ireland is that their set-piece suffered in the closing 10 minutes of the opening half, a momentum swing that helped Japan heap on the pressure that enabled them to close the gap to just three points at the interval.
Ireland failed to stem the tide in the second half and the increasing Japanese intensity in the collision eventually proved too much for them in the humid conditions.
Kenki Fukuoka grabbed the crucial lead-taking try on 59 minutes and despite unloading a bench that was given many plaudits for its energy the previous weekend against Scotland, the Irish had no answers.
(Continue reading below…)
Their surrender was summed up by replacement out-half Joey Carbery kicking the ball into touch at the finish rather than keeping the play alive in the hope of fashioning a result-saving Hail Mary play. Here’s how the beaten Ireland players rated:
ROB KEARNEY – 5
Back fit after missing the Scotland match, he was initially hungry for involvement. Showed his experience in allowing play unfold before pouncing for his 21st minute try. However, his day went downhill from there and he was unable to prevent the last pass getting to Fukuoka to score in the corner. Made two good contributions as Ireland attempted a rescue but it wasn’t enough.
KEITH EARLS – 5
Was the first player used by Jack Carty under the cross-kick but that early chance went begging. Had some positive moments in attack and while there were some missed tackles, he remained defensively alert and protected Ireland’s losing bonus point when mowing down Fukuoka who looked set to score off a Jordan Larmour intercept.
GARRY RINGROSE – 4
Started off like an express and was Ireland’s best attacker early on. Some excellent footwork hinted that he was well up for this and he was rewarded for his poise under the dropping ball to score off a Carty kick on 14 minutes. Demonstrated he had a boot, too, executing a pressure-relieving kick on 27 minutes after Josh van der Flier had scrambled. However, his defence is the frequent weak link in his armoury and it was exposed here under Japanese pressure when it most mattered.
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CHRIS FARRELL – 5
He was Ireland’s busiest defender in the backs and yet couldn’t deliver the same sort of presence that the absent Bundee Aki supplies. Struggled to get over the gain line when carrying and he was gone for Larmour after his team fell into arrears.
JACOB STOCKDALE – 4
Showed alertness just four minutes in to scamper back and snuff out a Japanese kick over the Irish try line. Didn’t have the necessary gas to beat his man on the outside on 21 minutes, but his step inside kept going the move that resulted in Kearney’s score. His inexperience showed in the second half, though, as there was never a sniff at fashioning a rescue chance.
JACK CARTY – 5
Huge day for the Test rookie. Spurned an early three points with an unsuccessful cross-kick to Earls, but he didn’t miss a beat as his two kicks, as well as an aerial handling assist, were pivotal to Ringrose and Kearney scoring tries off penalty advantages. Struggled from there, though. His overcooked halfway restart at 12-9 illustrated how momentum swung against Ireland just before the interval. Then, behind a pack that was losing its cohesion, he was pulled for Carbery after the Japanese try.
Ireland promised after 2015 they would not be caught winging it at the 2019 RWC with an inexperienced out-half starting at No10 in a big match in place of Johnny Sexton, but they have not delivered on that aim https://t.co/Y2QThUAiJW
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 27, 2019
CONOR MURRAY – 4
Gave a masterclass last Sunday but ran into too many blind alleys here. At fault for giving Japan three of their kicks at goal, two of which were converted, including one for offside on 71 minutes that allowed the hosts to push 19-12 clear and heap on the scoreboard pressure. Was too predictable as he looked to pass rather than test the Japanese more around the breakdown by sniping.
CIAN HEALY – 4
The focus of so much pre-match hot air about his scummaging. After a positive start, he was involved in the 36th-minute set-piece penalty concession on Irish ball that further inflamed Japanese hopes that they could win. Offered nothing in the ball-carrying department and was gone early in the second half for Dave Kilcoyne who was unable to up the ante.
RORY BEST – 4
It was his lineout mishap on 31 minutes on halfway that was the first momentum shift in offering Japan a way back into the game. That miss when throwing to Iain Henderson altered the match’s pattern and even when Ireland looked to re-establish themselves in the early parts of the second half, another missed throw on 49 minutes after a penalty was kicked to the 22 highlighted there would be no improvement. Lacked the necessary leadership in a troubled period and was gone on 61 after Japan hit the front.
TADHG FURLONG – 4
Started well along with so many others. There was an encouraging scrum penalty win on 19 minutes, while he also demonstrated he can improvise in the loose with a deft grubber after a Japan knock-on. However, his display declined from there, his effort lacking its usual punch in the collision. At fault for some turnovers as well before swopped for Andrew Porter.
IAIN HENDERSON – 4
Has a loose start before getting up to speed during the middle first-half period where Ireland were in the ascendency. Was the target Best failed to hit at the lineout on 31 minutes which precipitated the build-up of Japanese pressure. Was gone on 66 for Tadhg Beirne who, straight in, ripped the ball from a Japan maul, the sort of impact that Henderson lost his way in trying to achieve.
JAMES RYAN – 6
Carried the fight to Japan amid the crisis that was the 30th to the 40th minute and again after the 50th minute onwards but where he led, he had few too followers. This lack of support was encapsulated in the 65th minute when he was penalised for holding on just metres short of the Japanese posts. One of the rare bright lights on a chastening day.
Kick off in 20 mins time in Shizuoka. ????
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— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 28, 2019
PETER O’MAHONY – 5
Led the charge on the defensive side of the first half ball. Was a nuisance at the breakdown, losing, winning and losing penalties in a variety of incidents, the last giving Japan their first three points. However, he could only do so much with the Irish pack eventually losing the collisions. He was pulled for Rhys Ruddock on 55 minutes before Japan hit the front.
JOSH VAN DER FLIER – 4
He remains a bit of an enigma. He will tackle all day for his team – and he did again here – but he doesn’t offer enough of a threat on the other side of the ball. That failing was very noticeable with Ireland needing people to punch holes in the Japanese defence in the final 20 minutes. One dash back towards his own line had been important in tidying up some first-half danger, but he was penalised for not rolling away on 38 minutes which allowed Japan come within three points heading into the interval.
CJ STANDER – 4
Looked as if he had played his final last Sunday in the win over Scotland. Ireland needed him to get over the gain line frequently but the Japanese saw him coming and he was restricted to no more than a 18-metre gain off 10 carries. He looked increasingly unsettled and it was his error, crossing in front of Chris Farrell, which gave Japan the penalty they went on to fashion their try from.
WATCH: What Joe Schmidt and Rory Best said about the Ireland team prior to the match against Japan
Comments on RugbyPass
Brayden Iose and Peter Lakai are very exciting Super Rugby players but are too short and too light to ever be a Test 8 vs South Africa, France, Ireland, and England, Lakai could potentially be a Test player at 7 if he is allowed to focus on 7 for Hurricanes.
4 Go to commentsPencils “Thomas du Toit” into possible 2027 Bok squad.
1 Go to commentsDon’t see why Harrison makes the bench. Jones can play at 10 if needed, and there is a good case for starting her there to begin with if testing combinations. That would leave room for Sing on the bench
1 Go to commentsWhat a load of old bull!
1 Go to commentsOf the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.
26 Go to commentsIrish Rugby CEO be texting Andy Farrell “Andy, i found our next Kiwi Irishman”
5 Go to commentsI certainly don’t miss drinking beers at 8am in the morning watching rugby games being played in NZ.
1 Go to commentsThis looks like a damage limitation exercise for Wales, keeping back some of their more effective players for the last 20/25 minutes to try and counter England’s fresh legs so the Red Roses don’t rack up a big score.
1 Go to commentsVery unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
5 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not that “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to comments