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! Wales 28-8 Portugal (Gareth Davies, 75 minutes)
Wales drop the ball in the middle of the pitch but Louis Rees Zammit is the first to react. He scoops it up and drives throught the gap before sprinting towards the posts.
Just as he’s about to get tackled, Rees Zammit offloads and Gareth Davies dives over the line. Leigh Halfpenny then converts but the officials aren’t happy.
They’re taking another look at this.
Wales 21-8 Portugal, 73 minutes
Mason Grady takes out a man without the ball and Portugal’s penalty results in them pinging the ball into Wales’ half. The chance of a bonus point is slipping away from Wales as Portugal target another try of their own.
Wales 21-8 Portugal, 70 minutes
Wales are starting to relax.
There’s 10 minutes or so left in the game and they’re pushing on for a bonus point. Portugal don’t seem like they’ll be able to close the gap so Warren Gatland’s side will give it their all in the final few minutes.
Wales 21-8 Portugal, 66 minutes
Harry Latham-Coyle at the Stade de Nice:
"A huge roar as Nicolas Martins crossed in the corner, a nifty lineout move beautifully executed. Mike Tadjer, 34 and making a World Cup debut after 12 years of representing the country of his father, celebrated with a mighty, mighty punch of the air"
TRY! Wales 21-8 Portugal, (Nicolas Martins, 63 minutes)
Incredible try from Portugal!
The lineout is caught at the peak of the lift before the ball is immediately offloaded to Nicolas Martins. Wales are asleep and Martins nips through the gap at the front of the lineout before diving over the line.
The conversion is missed but Portugal celebrate that fantastic move and rightly so.
Wales 21-3 Portugal, 61 minutes
Portugal look fluid with the ball in hand and that is exemplified by replacement Raffaele Storti. He twists and weaves out of a couple of tackles before getting brough down 10 metres or so away from the Welsh try line.
A knock on and an offside award Portugal a penalty and they decide to run it. They want a try.
TRY! Wales 21-3 Portugal (Jac Morgan, 56 minutes)
This try is very similar to Wales’ second one. They inch closer and closer to the line before Jac Morgan drives over and Leigh Halfpenny completes the conversion.
The sting is eking away from Portugal who have a big mountain to climb now.
Wales 14-3 Portugal, 53 minutes
Portugal have been given an all round warning, first for collapsing the scrum and then for not allowing Williams to release the ball. They’re under pressure from Wales who are determined to get a third try with this attack.
From the next scrum, Wales run left with Tomos Williams carrying the ball. He looks for the offload but isbrough down before he can pass.
Wales 14-3 Portugal, 53 minutes
Wales try to get the ball on the outside after flinging the ball over to Johnny Williams. He’s brought down illegally and Portugal have to deal with a Welsh scrum right near their own try line.
Wales 14-3 Portugal, 50 minutes
Wales need to play smart. They need to keep hold of the ball, wear Portugal down and slowly force their way up the pitch. Instead the game is very open with mistakes happening on both sides.
Portugal win a penalty but Samuel Marques pushes it too wide and the lead remains 11 points.
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