Japan have beaten Ireland 19 points to 12 in a most amazing game that would have had every single fan of the sport on the edge of their seat.
Ahead of the game there was plenty of chat from the Japan squad about how they truly believed that they could win this one.
Not many others believed them though – Ireland showed in their opening game where they destroyed Scotland that they deserve their number 2 spot in the world and almost everyone expected a comfortable Irish win today.
In the opening phases of play things seemed to be going to plan – they were 12-0 up within 22 minutes and Jack Carty seemed to have a clear plan that was working with targeting the Japanese left wing with cross field kicks.
Keith Earles was having great success in taking those kicks and Ireland looked like they would start to run away with things.
But from that 22nd minute, the Irish didn’t score a single point. The game started with a crazy pace and Japan just kept it up minute after minute. In defence and attack Ireland were never given time to settle and Japan just kept asking them questions.
But it wasn’t an out of control, manic pace from Japan. It was very deliberate and focused and Ireland found it impossible to stop Japan making ground with ball in hand.
While Japan had loads of possession and territory they had to rely upon penalties to get themselves on the scoreboard. But they took these 3 pointers and at half time it was a close 3 point game.
In the second half Japan didn’t take their foot of the gas for a second and showed little signs of tiring. The real highlight came in the 54th minute when they scored a beautifully worked try.
They’d worked their way up to the line and when the forwards couldn’t get over, they quickly switched the point of attack shipping the ball smoothly through the backs.
Each man pinned his opponent and gave the pass meaning Kenki Fukuoka was put in space and able to sprint 10m in to score a memorable try.
With that Japan took the lead and while the Irish fought back hard as you’d expect, Japan never really looked like giving up the advantage.
A few times Ireland got close but the Japanese defence held them out and when they got turn over ball they played great heads up rugby and if there was an attacking opportunity they would take it – even if from within their own 22.
As the clock ticked down Ireland had one final attack but the Japanese managed to create an interception and were so close to scoring another try.
Keith Earles should be applauded for his efforts to chase back and make the covering tackle but from there the Japanese could run down the clock camped on the Irish line.
In a very weird ending, Ireland actually got the ball back and there was a second where you wondered… could Ireland go end to end here?
But Joey Carbery then kicked the ball into touch deliberately after the final gong had sounded. The move came as a total shock to all watching and even the ref was asking his team, “is that it?”
When the final whistle went the Japanese team and most of the stadium went wild. It wasn’t a lucky win – it was an incredible performance against one of the best teams in the world.
Ireland will wonder what went wrong but they will have plenty to review in the follow-up analysis. They were flat and predictable and couldn’t cope with the pace that Japan forced the game to be played at.
That’s not good enough from a team that has hopes of going deep in this tournament.
For Japan all of their players deserve praise but Michael Leitch, Yu Tamura, Yutaka Nagare and Shota Horie really shone.
Japan are now No.1 in the Group and you have to say they could easily hold that spot all the way to the end of the group stages and go through to play the runners up of Group B – and wouldn’t you believe it, that’s likely to be South Africa.
Scotland would have been looking on and will deservedly be very scared that they could be going out in the Group stages.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Great, thanks for that!. I stand wonderfully corrected. Never knew that... :happy:
Germán
Roar Rookie
Actually, according to Wikipedia, Tier 1 nations have 2 delegates and 3 votes, whereas 6 Tier 2 nations have 1 delegate and 1 vote... and Japan who has 1 delegate and 2 votes.
Germán
Roar Rookie
I don’t understand the comparison here JVJR. Even if 1999’s QF-qualifiers was ARG’s first victory against Ireland, Pumas were not a then-Tier-2 country, by current definition, and in fact had several now-Tier-1 scalps before that match, with wins against Australia, England, Scotland, and France. It is true that Argentina had underwhelmed in the previous world cups, and had win only one WC match until 1999, and that it was a shocking loss for Ireland—the first of many. But, I think it is indeed far-fetched to put both losses on par.
Germán
Roar Rookie
It’s not a loose term, but rather a technical (and political!) distinction made by WorldRugby (and IRB before that) to distinguish between established and up-and-coming rugby nations: Tier 1 countries get 2 votes in WR’s council, whereas Tier 2 get 1. I’m not sure if this term was in official circulation by 1999, but I could dig out IRB’s strategic plan from November 2004 (link below[*]), which already listed Argentina as a Tier 1 country. After 2007, getting Argentina involved in either 6N (the original plan, actually) or RC (as eventually turned out) had to do with mending the fact that we were the “only Tier 1 country without a permanent competition”. [*] IRB Strategic Plan Nov 2004
Old Bugger
Guest
I suggest what Joseph said about his own team isn't opinion - I'd say its a fact that Japan had spent so long preparing for this match especially when everyone else but themselves, didn't have any belief they could win. Also, one can be forgiven if Joseph's response about Ireland was opinionated but again, I don't think it was.....perhaps tongue-in-cheek stuff cos after the demo job Ireland did on Scotland the week before, it definitely became a David vs Goliath match for Joseph, Leitch and the Blossoms.....and perhaps, a belief by Ireland that all they had to do, was turn up....hence Joseph's t-i-c comment. Lastly, I don't think Schmidt and his team would ever suggest that having the No1 mantle, places a target on your back and with it, a special type of pressure to overcome. That's rubbish cos what it should be doing, is building the team up to play as the No1 ranking rather than sinking them down, cos of the weight of the ranking. And that's exactly what they did against Scotland except, one week later......??
Bill Shut
Roar Rookie
Like me.....that's just the winning coaches opinion.....I would expect that all teams have come to the RWC with Targets/Goals and plans on how they will achieve their goals. Don't underestimate the fact that Ireland have become the "hunted" as they arrived as No 1 in the world.....it's a special type of pressure to deal with.
Old Bugger
Guest
Let me put it this way.... When the winning coach says he and his team had been planning for this game ever since the RWC draw was released but he believed his opposition, had only spent the week before with planning for the game then, what do you think he's saying....??? You don't underestimate in these circumstances especially when you're playing against the team that caused the biggest upset 4yrs previous and worse still, you're playing that same team, at home.
Sinclair Whitbourne
Roar Rookie
I missed one important thing on Chek's side - he did go to town on sorting the scrum. That will be a lasting legacy. How are you finding the game v Wales?
tsuru
Roar Rookie
I’d call that a balanced and considered comment.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
He makes too many mistakes for an 'elite official'. Gardner was on top of the Irish players at the breakdown from the word go. This made them tentative to push the envelope for the rest of the game. Yet, there was no such pressure on the Blossoms, they pretty much had a free ride by Gardner. Why is he so inconsistent in his rulings? For example, he pinged O'Mahony for not rolling away in the 2nd half which lead to a penaltly goal yet the ball was available pretty much straight away for Japan, but then in the Argentina v France game right at the death, French #6 takes forever to get out of the way & no penalty -that could've won the match. He frustrates me so.
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
Yes, heard it was 74%. Hope it is the same today against Wales
Phantom
Roar Rookie
I think that is to kick or run at the right time. Game management is an understated skill
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
That's the point we are making Mark. What advantage did Farrell get he was tackled when he ran into Stander, no territory made at all. Let play continue. I just looked at the replay, Gardner says nothing only the hand signal of fist into palm, like you would in a truck & trailer situation Not sure that's offside more obstruction, but anyway our point was it didn't have impact on play. Sure, it was the right call if you want to be pedantic & see yet another scrum that takes 3 mins to set....
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
cheika has been criticised for having wings at centre, centre at wings, No 10s at 12, FBs at 10, 10s at FBs, 7s at 8, 7s at 6 at, 7s at 13 or 14, and all interchanging during the game dependent on where the ball is.. and then all that sooky whinging after the game.. part from that all good..
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Na get them in the Quarters when they are at their most vulnerable..
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
He said he was saving the bonus point and his coach backed that decision.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
I have noticed from the telecasts the jerseys seem to have a sweaty sheen on them, i hope that is not the case because that would make them extremely slippery for the tackler.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
All Blacks would never wish they lost against the Bok..
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
I think the Irish did hit the wall and the heat and humidity maybe a bigger factor than some teams realise. And that Toner dropping was definitely a mistake to a culture driven team like the Irish..
dazell
Roar Rookie
What a great game to watch, my neighbours came over to check everything was OK there was so much shouting for Japan!!!! :silly: I kept waiting for Japan to wilt but it seemed like Ireland ran out of ideas and puff.