Ireland run away with impressive win over Tonga in Nantes
Much to the delight of the Dublin-esque crowd in attendance, Ireland kept their flawless start to the Rugby World Cup intact with a comfortable 59-16 win over Tonga in Nantes.
Thousands of Irish fans cheered and sang their team to victory at Stade de la Beaujoire on Saturday, with Andy Farrell’s men improving their World Cup record to two wins from as many starts.
For the rest of the rugby world, including the Springboks who play Ireland in Paris next week, take note. Ireland missed some point-scoring opportunities, but they still walked away with all five points.
This Tongan side is no joke, either. Including the likes of Malakai Fekitoa and Charles Piutau, four former All Blacks lined up opposite the world’s number-one ranked side.
But it was Ireland’s day. They made a frighteningly clear statement with the 43-point win, and this result sets the scene for next week’s clash with the world champion Boks.
Walking through the streets of Nantes about three hours before kick-off, it was impossible to forget that there was a rugby game on – not that anyone should want to, of course.
Ireland fans soaked up the occasion at restaurants and bars before kick-off and made their way to the stadium in their droves by either walking or getting the tram. They were everywhere.
But this was nothing compared to what waited for fans at the Nantes venue. There were even more of them – tens of thousands – and they were loving every minute of the build-up.
Hours turned into minutes as the countdown to the highly anticipated Pool B clash ticked on by. Tonga laid down the challenge with the Sipi Tau, and Ireland accepted it by stepping forward as brothers-in-arms.
Moments later, Tongan flyhalf William Havili got the Test underway at 9.02 p.m. Ireland, who were wearing white, held onto the ball with veteran James Ryan rising high to collect the kick-off.
The opening five minutes were played on Tonga’s terms. Tonga dominated the territory battle but couldn’t turn any of their attacking pressure into points – they didn’t come close, really.
But the same couldn’t be said for Ireland. With their first attacking raid within Tonga’s 22, referee Wayne Barnes awarded in penalty in Ireland’s favour and they came away with some points.
Captain Johnny Sexton lined up a relatively routine penalty attempt from close range, and the legendary playmaker made no mistake. Ireland, much to the enjoyment of the crowd, were leading 3-nil.
There was a little bit of everything during the next nine minutes or so, including a 50/22 from wing Mack Hansen – a kick from well inside his own half. But the score didn’t change, and it was tense.
Tonga were the next team to score with flyhalf Havili converting a long-range attempt from about 50 metres out. Almost out of nowhere, the two nations were level and it was truly anyone’s game.
Out of nowhere, Tonga wing Afusipa Taumoepeau dropped the ball cold inside his own 22, and the Irish made the most of their opportunity to strike – or so everyone thought. Andrew Porter crashed over, but the try was called back by the TMO for a knock-on against Ireland.
Tonga were handed a lifeline, but Ireland had an advantage. They were awarded an attacking scrum, but they ended up blowing another chance to regain the lead.
The score stayed at 3-all, but there was a sense of inevitability about Ireland scoring next. Shortly after, right on cue, Ireland had their moment.
Tadhg Beirne scored the opening try of the Test after some brilliant lead-up play. The towering lock needed every centimetre of his height as he desperately reached out for the try.
But their 10-3 lead didn’t last long. Havili cut the deficit down to four points with another penalty, but that’s as good as it got for Tonga, really. It was all one-way traffic from there.
Celan Doris, Mack Hansen and Johnny Sexton crossed for a try each as Ireland raced away with a big lead on the back of a rapid 12-minute period.
Tonga did have the final say, though. Flanker Peter O’Mahony was sent to the sin bin in the 42nd minute, and Vaea Fifita made the most of the one-player advantage with a try soon after.
The late score made the scoreboard a bit more interesting going into the break, but Ireland still looked comfortable in pole position with a 31-13 lead.
Captain Sexton, prop Andrew Porter and hooker Ronan Kelleher were replaced at the break, and the men in white weren’t as dominant to start the second term.
Tonga scored first through the reliable goal-kicking boot of Havili, as the Pacific Island nation cut their deficit down to 15 points.
But Ireland was back in business soon after. New Zealand-born wing James Lowe scored just before the hour mark as the Irish all but secured the win with 20 to play.
Centre Bunde Aki sent the vibrant crowd into a frenzy with a rapid double in six minutes, and a late score to replacement Rob Herring saw Ireland run away with a headline-grabbing win in Nantes. Next up: South Africa at Stade de France.
Comments on RugbyPass
As article says re Japanese Final. Todd Blackadder up against his old mentor/ coach at Canterbury and the Crusaders , Robbie Deans. Both legends in this part of the world. Richie Mo’unga, ( another legend), playing brilliantly for Toddy’s team.Great to hear.
1 Go to commentsNo doubt Razor will want to kick the 2024 campaign off with a decisive selection of the top match fit players to insure his selection as the appointed coach has maximum impact. We the supporters and critics will settle for nothing less because historically it is what we have become ingrained and accustomed to. With that in mind and the distinct fall from grace of his beloved crusaders we will expect him to stamp his mark in the same way he left his old post.
9 Go to commentsI would've expected a better turn around in response to the changes within the team and its management. Lacking in my opinion is the skill sets that once was and now seemingly vacant within the squads regular front runners. Furthermore there seems to be no set game plan, the accuracy that once was is no more, the quality off the bench were poor matchups and frankly I feel a lot has to do with the coaching. Never thought i’d be critising the sadas to this degree.
5 Go to commentsAverage AB captain by recent standards. Speaks to the wider issue
9 Go to commentsWholesome lad, but no longer test level. At all
9 Go to commentsThis game was always going to be close, Canada have such a dominant pack and the Black Ferns have come unstuck in that area against teams like France and England in the past.
2 Go to commentsA distinct discomfort with the officiating they were probably selected from the local IRA narcos branch along with the commentators bloody fly tippers.
1 Go to commentsWow, never thought I would read that
2 Go to commentsExcellent match. Great to see Keenan and Ryan back for Leinster. Super result for Ulster. Season is turning around.
1 Go to comments“We need eight or nine new players, who are hard-wearing and durable and experienced Premiership performers”. So why are they scouting a retired fullback who himself admits that his “body is broken”?
1 Go to commentsBrumbies hand, knocked a Crusaders hand. Therefore, knock on in goal. Crusaders, goal line drop out should’ve been awarded. most likely after that 24 each at full time, so extra time would’ve been the right an entertaining outcome. Act Jim
1 Go to commentsSpeell cehck
1 Go to commentsColeman is gaawwwwnnn.
1 Go to commentsnext SA head coach?
3 Go to commentsGreat try by van Poortvliet.
1 Go to commentsThey have been cruelled by injuries but almost nobody (Sevu Reece and Fletcher Newell big exceptions) has played above himself which regularly happened before. Surely Scott Robertson had maintained the recruitment programme and it looks like a reasonable squad. Last in this competition will stall a lot of careers. Penny seems likeable. But it’s not enough even though this was better. We haven’t been good enough and it’s not helped by the “it’s been 15 years since… “etc “after nearly every match. Seems somehow a soft gifting of something once valuable. Kieran Read giving comments last week almost choked describing the easy surrender of possession by the forwards. I’d love to think that the senior players some of whom are back can show enough pride in the jersey to test the Blues next week.
5 Go to commentsWho will Joe select for the back three with so many in form candidates? Just hope he doesn’t get shafted like Dave Rennie and to a lesser extent Deans.
8 Go to commentsAlways reluctant to blame a coach when losses rack up, but Penney must go. The backline is dysfunctional and the coach must carry the can. No cohesion, no idea and in many cases, minimal skill. The trains out of Roma St depart faster than the ball from Crusaders’ set pieces. Wouldn’t be surprised if the forwards went on strike.
5 Go to commentsAdding to earlier comment. Cullen Grace has been playing great at no6. Lio-Willie , who was on fire a few weeks ago, had a bad game. I think Cullen should have been moved to 8 earlier, Dominic Gardiner on earlier. Feel for Quinten Strange , put in a big shift .
8 Go to commentsWe dominated the scrums Ben Curry was all over pitch again .Surely James Harper got to be one of best English tightheads
1 Go to comments