Ireland vs Tonga LIVE: Rugby World Cupresult and reaction as Johnny Sexton breaks points scoring record
Ireland 59-16 Tonga: Andy Farrell’s top Pool B after consecutive heavy victories in France
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Your support makes all the difference.Ireland earned a second conescutive victory of the 2023 Rugby World Cup when they dispatched Tonga in Nantes on Saturday night. Andy Farrell’s men scored eight tries in total as they racked up over 50 points in a match for the second game in a row continuing to justfy why they are one of the favourites to win this tournament.
After a frustrating start to the game in which both teams exchanged penalty kicks, Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne went over the line to unlock his teams attacking quality and they added another three tries to secure a bonus point before the break. The most influential being Johnny Sexton’s as the 38-year-old broke Ronan O’Gara’s record to become the new all-time leading Irish points scorer.
Tonga responded with a try of their own right on the brink of half-time but they couldn’t muster a fight back in the second half. The Irish replacements contined the dominance and Rob Herring’s last minute try put the icing on the cake of another superb victory.
Relive all the action from the Stade de la Beaujoire below.
TRY! Ireland 31-13 Tonga, (Vaea Fifita, 48 minutes)
A scrum reset is the break that Tonga need as the ball comes out to Vaea Fifita. He blitzes in between Johnny Sexton and Caelan Doris and grounds the ball over the line.
Tonga have their first try.
Ireland 31-6 Tonga, 44 minutes
There’s plenty of added time here as Tonga are determined to get over for a try. Ireland are a man down but four penalties in a row keep Tonga’s hopes alive as the ball remains in play.
Ireland’s defence is holding firm for now.
TRY! Ireland 31-6 Tonga, (Johnny Sexton, 38 minutes)
Johnny Sexton breaks Ronan O’Gara’s record as Ireland’s highest points scorer! He breaks the Tonga line and sprints under the sticks to score their fourth try of the first half.
He then converts to add to his tally and Ireland have already secured their bonus point.
Ireland 24-6 Tonga, 36 minutes
Space opens up in front of a maul for Ronan Kelleher who drives towards the line. It looks as though he’s grounded the ball but the referee is well positioned and sees that Tonga managed to hold him up at the last moment.
TRY! Ireland 24-6 Tonga, (Mack Hansen, 33 minutes)
Wonderful run from Mack Hansen. Ireland keep the ball close in the middle of their line and draw in the Tonga defenders. A flurry of passes send the ball out to Hansen on the wing but he still has plenty of work to do.
He cuts inside of three defenders taking them out of the equation before shimming past a fourth and diving for the line to give Ireland a third try of the night.
Sexton converts.
TRY! Ireland 17-6 Tonga, (Caelan Doris, 27 minutes)
Ireland win themselves a lineout deep in Tonga’s half and decide that a driving maul is the best method of attack. They’re right as the ball is passed back to Caelan Doris who sticks to the back of the drive before lunging for the line.
Johnny Sexton pumps over the conversion. Ireland are starting to tick now.
PENALTY! Ireland 10-6 Tonga, (William Havili, 24 minutes)
That is very impressive.
Tonga respond immediately by winning a penalty out wide on the right wing. They decide to kick for goal again but William Havili is miles away with a tight angle to hit.
That doesn’t faze the fly-half who whips the ball through the middle of the posts to keep Tonga within touching distance of Ireland.
TRY! Ireland 10-3 Tonga (Tadhg Beirne, 21 minutes)
From the ruck the ball comes out to Johnny Sexton who pings the ball back inside for Caelan Doris to burst through the Tonga line. He offloads the ball to Tadhg Beirne who blazes up the pitch and dives into the try zone.
Sexton boots over for the conversion and Ireland are ahead once more.
Ireland 3-3 Tonga, 18 minutes
No try! Ireland thought they were in. A kick is up the pitch is spilled by the Tonga full-back before Mack Hansen scoops up the ball. He doesn’t collect it cleanly though and knocks on himself before continuing the move.
The Irish work it over to the right and score but their joy is shortlived as Hansen’s knock on is flagged immediately. Scrum to Ireland for Tonga’s initial knock on.
PENALTY! Ireland 3-3 Tonga, (William Havili, 16 minutes)
Tonga are going to kick for goal from a long, long way out to try and draw this match level. Fly-half, William Havili, is the chosen kicker and he bombs it right between the sticks.
Wonderful kick. There’s a game on now in Nantes.
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