2019 Rugby World Cup hosts Japan have scored the upset of the tournament so far with a come-from-behind victory over world No.2 side Ireland.
The Irish led Japan for nearly the first hour of the contest with tries to Garry Ringrose and Rob Kearney. Three penalty goals to Japanese flyhalf Yu Tamura kept his side in the game before a try to Japanese replacement Kenki Fukuoka in the 58th minute put them ahead on the scoreboard for the first time in the match.
The Japanese managed to hold on in defence for the final 22 minutes to seal the famous victory, defeating Ireland 19-12.
Here are five talking points from the game.
1. Brave blossoms become serial giant-killers
For the second Rugby World Cup in a row, a Japanese side has taken on a traditional rugby powerhouse and won against all odds.
This time four years ago, it was the Springboks of South Africa who had their pants pulled down by the plucky Japanese, who scored a try after full time to win the game 34-32.
To add to the drama, Japan famously had the chance to kick a relatively easy penalty goal on full time to draw the scores level but chose to go for the try instead in what was a massive gamble which paid even bigger dividends.
This most recent World Cup upset over Ireland may not have had quite as much drama as the South Africa game in 2015 – but it was pretty bloody close.
Further, this type of result typifies exactly why the World Cup is such a phenomenon. It was frankly fantastic to see the Japanese pull off such a miraculous win in front of their home fans no less. I can’t wait to see what other magical moments this tournament throws up.
2. Battle for Pool A heats up
Their surprise victory over Ireland has not only marked an historic moment for Japan as a rugby-playing nation, but it has thrown a massive spanner into the workings of Pool A, leaving the race to the top of the pool well and truly wide open.
Ireland were expected to top the pool at the start of the tournament, and did their chances no harm with their 27-3 win over Scotland last week.
But this result will have fans of Scotland, Samoa, and of course Japan licking their lips with anticipation, as all three sides along with Ireland now have a realistic chance of advancing past the group stage, and possibly even topping the pool.
(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
3. Irish set pieces and discipline need improvement
Not a lot went right for the Irish in this match. Their set-pieces, in particular, left plenty to be desired and wound up costing them possession at several crucial times in the match.
Japan were able to steal two line outs from the Irish. One in the 50th minute would prove particularly costly for Ireland, who lost an opportunity to attack from inside the Japanese 22 due to a poor throw from captain Rory Best.
The Irish also allowed Japan to win a scrum against the feed, while losing the penalty count 9-6 also proved to be crucial as penalty goals are what kept Japan in the game for the first hour of the contest.
4. Garry Ringrose stars for Ireland
While he will be monumentally disappointed about the result, Irish outside centre Garry Ringrose can certainly hold his head high after a monumental effort in both attack and defence.
The stat sheet says 63m, two clean breaks, seven defenders beaten, two offloads and a try for Ringrose. That’s also what the Oxford Dictionary says when you look up “constantly threatening”.
He’ll no doubt continue to be one of the first picked for Ireland as long as he keeps posting numbers like that.
5. Ireland blow early dominance
The final scoreboard might read 19-12 after 80 minutes, but at one stage it looked like the Irish were headed for a big victory when they lead 12-3 after just 21 minutes.
Jack Carty, covering for the injured Johnny Sexton, was in rare form with the boot early, coming up with try-assists from kicks in the 13th and 20th minutes.
He also terrorized Japan with the boot out wide on both sides of the field, sending pinpoint accurate kicks to both his wingers Jacob Stockdale and Keith Earls at various points in the first half.
However, it was when Ireland went away from this tactic that Japan really started to get back into the game. With Carty pulling the strings with his boot early though, the Irish looked near-unstoppable.
What are your thoughts on the game Roarers? Where to now for Ireland? And which two teams do you think will qualify for the next round from Pool A? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
gus
Guest
https://youtu.be/CIRY-AKpvYE
Derm
Roar Guru
Robbie Henshaw born in Athlone, Ireland.
Let The One King Rule
Guest
Rugby is a professional game. Players are paid to compete, paid to win, and paid for their promotional work. That is the very definition of 'mercenary' - someone who is drawn to a line of work by material gain. Once Rugby stopped being an amateur sport, everyone involved became a mercenary. That's how professionalism works.
Let the One King Rule
Guest
Honestly, I share the sentiment to an extent, but the world has changed. An increasing number of people do not stay in their country of origin or ancestry, do not feel any particular loyalty or patriotism towards the countries in which they have grown up, and do not really put down roots until a fair way into adulthood. It's become increasingly difficult to justify the existence of eligibility criteria based on birth, ancestry, or even experience, because it presupposes something that is very often not true - that people can only feel a strong love for or pull towards a place where they have significant history. My parents were from Asia. I was born in Australia, and lived here all my childhood until my early 20s. I moved to Canada in my adulthood, then to the US, then to Korea, Nauru, Vanuatu, Japan and Singapore. In terms of eligibility criteria, a grandparent/ heritage rule would have me representing China, a country which I have never visited and have never had a great desire to visit. A citizenship or childhood rule would have me representing Australia, a country which was aggressively racist when I was a child, in which I never felt welcome, and where I have not lived in decades. Alternatively, I love being in Japan, spent the most time there out of any country I have lived since I was old enough to decide where I wanted to live, and would have stayed if my wife had shared my sentiments. If I was good enough to compete, and the country was willing to offer me citizenship, why shouldn't I be allowed? And if I am not allowed, which country would you be comfortable with me representing instead? As a random side note, even in Japan, which has been famously closed off for most of its history, the government has become increasingly lenient in allowing foreigners to live, work, and even permanently immigrate in the last five years on account of their labour shortage and ageing population (I have 4 friends who have been granted citizenship after struggling for years to even get long term work permits).
Faith
Roar Rookie
Excellent stuff Crusty
Gilbert
Roar Rookie
Beast?
Gilbert
Roar Rookie
Careful what you wish. A Japanese team brimming with confidence, at home, in a wc playoff will be hard to beat.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Ken, Not sure…. Maybe… Possibly… But think right now and it’s more than just talk, post World Cup South Africa want to go North….its a survival thing… Leaves open the possibility of Japan’s inclusion into a SH comp… But and it’s a big but, where too for Argentina? I have had serious even antagonistic arguments with Carlos The Argie and Nobes on this. I feel Argentina are better off out of SH rugby.. Plenty of questions.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Jacko what you smoking???
Derm
Roar Guru
They were No 2 actually. NZ back in their usual spot after Round 1.
Derm
Roar Guru
Of their players available, they did. Henshaw/Aki, Sexton and Conan were all injured and could have featured otherwise.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
I was not aware of that situation regarding Toner. Thanks for clarifying. I just thought he was dropped.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
I’d also say that I’m not sure “we” are on the correct side, if you mean Australia. I’d be happy if the Naisaranis and Korobeites who come here after school were told to play for Fiji and no one else, at least for five years, say. But at least these guys are likely to settle in Australia long term. I’d say the chances of Labuschagne, Moore, Thompson and those various Kiwis and Pacific Islanders living in Japan long term is close to zero.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Anyone who sees that team and doesn’t realise it’s half full of mercenaries is deluding themselves.
Kiwiburger
Guest
Toner couldn’t be picked because Wales were going to force an issue with the citing commissioner regarding foul play in their last game if he was. I think it was a ban for a number of weeks. Point being you can’t call up replacements for a player who cops a ban.
Tigranes
Guest
Georgia Uruguay, Namibia, Fiji, wont use imports. Samoa import a lot of kiwis in their side.
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
Countries. Sorry....
Censored Often
Roar Rookie
I’ve seen the footage, arms in the tackle and no high contact.
Gonzo99
Roar Rookie
Yeah, always lose in Cardiff at the moment. Put 30 odd points on them in England though.
Carlin
Roar Rookie
Was a great game. I picked Ireland to win but Japan thoroughly deserved the victory. I agree with your point on Ireland's set piece. I do wonder whether leaving Toner behind could haunt them. Japan impressed me with their ability to retain possession and showed great intent by going wide. That really fatigued Ireland. And when Ireland had possession in the last 20 minutes they lacked a lot of direction compared to what they showed in the first 20 minutes. I am a little nervous given recent history now that Ireland may play the All Blacks in a quarter-final. Pool A is going to be a enthralling group to follow from here on in.