Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
WIN TWO THE FRYING ‘PAN..
Ireland withstand intense heat & humidity to earn Tokyo double
IRELAND ended their summer tour with a 100% record thanks to victory over a dogged Japan.
Joe Schmidt’s men scored four tries in the first half hour to storm into a big lead, and though they failed to score again until two minutes from time, they stood tall in the intense heat and humidity – as well as Japan’s physicality.
“That was very, very tough going,” said Schmidt (inset).
“The Japanese defence came very quick off the line, they were very effective in the tackle and made the day very hard work.
“It was very hot out there, the players were fatiguing early in the game, so it was great to get a good start and hang on at the finish.”
Garry Ringrose scored the opening try on three minutes.
Japan had stolen possession and looked set to attack space, but Amanaki Mafi’s pass was intercepted by the Leinster ace and he raced home for his fifth international try on his 11th appearance.
Paddy Jackson slotted home the first of five conversions, a tally that sees him end his international season with 38 successful kicks from 39.
Josh van der Flier was next to cross the line as Japan defended for 12 phases but could not hold out when Jackson went wide and Luke Marshall fed the Leinster backrow who burrowed home for his first international try.
Jumpei Ogura put Japan on the scoreboard with a penalty 13 minutes in, but Kieran Marmion got Ireland’s third try before 20 minutes had passed thanks to the impressive Jack Conan punching a hole through the hosts’ defence.
A thunderous break by Uwe Helu then put Ireland on the back foot. The hosts went wide and Marmion had no answer for Kotaro Matsushima’s dancing feet.
It was a brief respite for the home side as Conan once more led Ireland’s attack, and Devin Toner popped the ball to Rhys Ruddock, who dotted down from close range.
Japan’s second try of the game came on 61 minutes, when Rikiya Matsuda’s grubber kick took a fortunate bounce off an Irish heel and ended up in Akihito Yamada’s hands.
The small pockets of Ireland fans in the 29,354 crowd thought Marmion had bagged a fifth try of the day, but the scrum-half knocked on middive to let Japan off the hook.
John Cooney became the eighth new cap of the summer tour, when he replaced Marmion on 73 minutes, and he was on the pitch to celebrate Ulster team-mate Sean Reidy’s first Ireland try.