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.
Ireland 3-0 Tonga, 13 minutes
Ireland work their way over to the left side of the pitch and give the ball to Johnny Sexton. He releases the ball to James Lowe on the left wing but he’s stopped in his tracks.
There aren’t enough Irish bodies around to get into the ruck and Tonga take control of the ball before winning themselves another penalty.
Ireland 3-0 Tonga, 9 minutes
A solid run from Salesi Piutau sees him stopped in his track by James Ryan who hits him with a wrapping tackle around the waist. Tonga put the ball out of play but recover it quickly and target the Irish 22 with a booming kick down the field.
It doesn’t quite reach the line before heading into touch.
PENALTY! Ireland 3-0 Tonga (Johnny Sexton, 7 minutes)
Ireland wisely elect to kick from the penalty and Johnny Sexton steps up to the ball. He’s tight on the kick clock but smokes it down the middle.
Tonga are asking whether he went over time but the referee calmly explains that he didn’t as a hooter would have sounded. Ireland move into the lead.
Ireland 0-0 Tonga, 4 minutes
Tadhg Beirne wins the lineout but Tonga recover possession in the following ruck and look to move it wide. A forward pass stops them in their tracks.
Ireland then push up the pitch and win a penalty.
Kick off! Ireland 0-0 Tonga
Tonga, playing their first match of the 2023 World Cup, kick off the game and chase after the ball making their forward line known to Ireland immediately with a couple of heavy hits.
Ireland vs Tonga
The national anthems are played just ahead of kick off in Nantes. Tonga will be stubborn opponents but they’re coming up against the No. 1 side in the world and Ireland have named a strong line-up.
This won’t be an easy task for the Pacific Islanders.
Ireland vs Tonga
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, speaking to ITV: “The game is important to us. It is a completely different type of game compared to last week.
“We’re respecting the opposition because of the quality that is there, as a collective and individuals and coaching staff.
“We know they are a big side, not just big but a physical side who can play the game,. They have a very good set piece and good maul. They want to hit in defence so we need to move them about a bit.”
Ireland vs Tonga line-ups
Ireland XV: 15-Hugo Keenan, 14-Mack Hansen, 13-Garry Ringrose, 12-Bundee Aki, 11-James Lowe, 10-Johnny Sexton, 9-Conor Murray, 1-Andrew Porter, 2-Ronan Kelleher, 3-Tadhg Furlong, 4-Tadhg Beirne, 5-James Ryan, 6-Peter O’Mahony, 7-Josh van der Flier, 8-Caelan Doris
Replacements: 16-Rob Herring, 17-David Kilcoyne, 18-Finlay Bealham, 19-Iain Henderson, 20-Ryan Baird, 21-Craig Casey, 22-Ross Byrne, 23-Robbie Henshaw
Tonga XV: 15-Salesi Piutau, 14-Afusipa Taumoepeau, 13-Malakai Fekitoa, 12-Pita Ahki, 11-Solomone Kata, 10-William Havili, 9-Augustine Pulu,1-Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 2-Paula Ngauamo, 3-Ben Tameifuna, 4-Sam Lousi, 5-Halaleva Fifita, 6-Tanginoa Halaifonua, 7-Sione Talitui, 8-Vaea Fifita.
Replacements: 16-Sam Moli, 17-Tau Koloamatangi, 18-Sosefo Apikotoa, 19-Semisi Paea, 20-Solomone Funaki, 21-Sione Vailanu, 22-Sonatane Takulua, 23-Fine Inisi
Ireland vs Tonga team news
Andy Farrell makes just four changes to the XV that defeated Romania last time out. Ireland hooker Dan Sheehan is back in training after picking up a foot injury in the build-up to the World Cup along with Dave Kilcoyne and Robbie Henshaw who both had respective hamstring concerns. Jack Conan remains out with a foot issue.
Tonga have bolstered their side with former All Blacks such as Charles Piutau, Vaea Fifita, George Moala and Malakai Fekitoa converting their allegiance thanks to World Rugby’s new eligibility laws. They are without injured duo Israel Folau and Telusa Veainu for the duration of the tournament while George Moala is suspended for the first three games after a dangerous tip-tackle in the warm-up match versus Canada.
Ireland vs Tonga talking points
The heat is on
Ireland will welcome a significant reduction in temperature following the scorching conditions endured at Stade de Bordeaux.
Farrell’s players defied heat of 36 degrees Celsius to run in 12 tries against Romania, while it was again uncomfortably warm on Friday afternoon when they trained at Stade de la Beaujoire.
The forecast for Saturday’s 9pm kick-off local time is a more manageable 22 degrees, with light winds, clear skies and a low chance of precipitation following possible thundery showers earlier in the day.
That said, humidity is expected to be high and will add to the intensity as Ireland once again bid to deliver under pressure.
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