Japan set the 2019 Rugby World Cup alight with a stunning display to give themselves a huge opportunity of reaching the quarter-finals following a superb 19-12 triumph over Ireland in Fukuroi.
It was a thrilling encounter as the Brave Blossoms showed plenty of spirit to get back into the contest after going 12-3 down after two early tries for Garry Ringrose and Rob Kearney.
Yu Tamura kicked successive penalties to go with his earlier three-pointer to keep them in the contest at the interval before they came out firing in the second half.
The Japanese put their opponents under significant duress and deservedly went ahead via Kenki Fukuoka. At that point, there was only four points separating the teams but Tamura’s fifth successful effort off the tee sealed an incredible victory.
Jamie Joseph’s men were poor in the opening exchanges of their game against Russia. Nerves evidently played a part and it set the tone for a lethargic display, but they were outstanding on Saturday.
Japan began with pace and were unfortunate not to take the lead when the bounce of the ball just evaded Kotaro Matsushima. They then had a penalty opportunity in front of the posts but Tamura was awry with the effort and that profligacy was to prove costly.
Ireland’s power and intelligence with ball in hand was too much for the hosts with Conor Murray and Jack Carty dictating play well from half-back.
It was initially a case of no Johnny Sexton, no problem for the Irish with the replacement fly-half showing impressive composure and control to help them into the lead. His kicking game in attack was particularly excellent as a cross-field dink resulted in Ringrose touching down out wide.
Although the home side reduced the arrears through Tamura, the pivot’s opposite number was once again to the fore when he kicked ahead under penalty advantage. The Connacht man chased his own ‘up and under’ and somehow managed to tap it back for Kearney to finish.
At that stage, Ireland were comfortable and dominating territory, but Japan got back into the game through some resilient defence and impressive set-piece.
Joe Schmidt may have the bigger men at his disposal but the hosts are so technically proficient and, as a result, they forced their opponents to infringe and that allowed Tamura to cut the deficit. By the interval, the Irishmen were just three points in front thanks to a pair of penalties from the Brave Blossoms’ playmaker.
UNBELIEVABLE!
On home turf, Japan have achieved an incredible win over Ireland! Shizuoka is rocking!
FT: Japan 19-12 Ireland #RWC2019 #JPNvIRE pic.twitter.com/ng798ka6gp
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 28, 2019
Japan took that momentum into the second half and dominated the third quarter, playing with vibrancy and patience. They initially didn’t get their reward but Joseph’s men kept their composure and exceptional hands on the left gave Fukuoka an easy run to the line.
It was proving to be a stunning effort from the hosts and that attacking effort was matched by their defence as they withstood a series of Ireland attacks.
The Japanese were under pressure but they were simply outstanding without the ball and, when they did get it, the hosts made the most of it, scoring a penalty to extend their buffer.
That duly got them home as Japan rugby enjoyed their greatest day since they famously defeated South Africa in the 2015 World Cup.
The scorers:
For Japan:
Try: Fukuoka
Con: Tamura
Pens: Tamura 4
For Ireland:
Tries: Ringrose, Kearney
Con: Carty
Japan: 15 Ryohei Yamanaka, 14 Kotaro Matsushima, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 11 Lomano Lava Lemeki, 10 Yu Tamura, 9 Yutaka Nagare, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Pieter Labuschagne (c), 6 Kazuki Himeno, 5 James Moore, 4 Luke Thompson, 3 Jiwon Koo, 2 Shota Horie, 1 Keita Inagaki
Replacements: 16 Atsushi Sakate, 17 Isileli Nakajima, 18 Asaeli Ai Valu, 19 Wimpie van der Walt, 20 Michael Leitch, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Rikiya Matsuda, 23 Kenki Fukuoka
Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Keith Earls, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Chris Farrell, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 10 Jack Carty, 9 Conor Murray, 8 CJ Stander, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Iain Henderson, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Rory Best (c), 1 Cian Healy
Replacements: 16 Sean Cronin, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Tadhg Beirne, 20 Rhys Ruddock, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Jordan Larmour
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Jérôme Garcès (France), Matthew Carley (England)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
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