Match action
IRELAND guaranteed their place in a quarter-final against either the All Blacks or South Africa, but it came at a price as Bundee Aki’s red card poured fresh fuel on the safe tackle debate.
Aki was left “devastated” by his 29th minute straight red for the challenge on Ulupano Seuteni, which is likely to result in a ban that will end his World Cup.
But Aki, who is of Samoan descent, will have Samoa head coach Steve Jackson on his side when he appears at a disciplinary tribunal.
Jackson, whose team have experienced no shortage of cards this tournament, said: “It’s the toss of a coin at the moment.
“I’ve known Bundee a long time and he’s a great man and a great character. He didn’t go out to do that to anybody.
“Hopefully the powers that be can see sense and he gets to carry on in this tournament. He deserves it as much as anyone. I hope no sanction comes and he goes further in this tournament, and we will do all we can to make sure he gets out there.
“Defenders have got to make a decision in a split second. I think Bundee only had two or three metres to make a decision on the type of tackle. It’s extremely difficult.”
Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said: “We live in hope and we will see what the judiciary decide.
“We know there is a very hard line being taken and we will just have to accept what decision is made by the judiciary.
“Among coaches there is a bit of anxiety about it (the tackle laws). We certainly feel for Bundee. He is pretty devastated that any further participation in the tournament is now at risk.
“It’s a really tough situation. He has wrapped both hands behind the shoulder blades of the player. It’s all split-second stuff.”
In the first ever encounter between the two sides at a World Cup it was Ireland who played the conditions better, using the gusts of wind swirling around Fukuoka to their advantage by peppering the Samoa back three with a volley of early kicks.
Ireland captain Rory Best opened the scoring, finishing off a lineout maul that set the tone for a dominant forward display, although the Irish scrum will need to fire up sooner when facing either New Zealand or the Springboks.
The Pacific Islanders then lost hooker Seilala Lam to the sin-bin for a dangerous tackle on Jacob Stockdale, only for Tadhg Furlong to immediately punish them with a bulldozing charge to the line.
Johnny Sexton, who ran well with ball in hand during his 50 minutes on the field, touched down twice, ensuring the bonus point-win that guaranteed qualification was secured before half time.
Samoa, ill-disciplined and in a state of puzzlement in defence, looked half-paced for the majority of the half, until captain Jack Lam chivvied his pack into action and drove over for their only score.
After the break, you could have been forgiven for thinking that it was Samoa who had had a man sent off. Ireland set up siege in the Samoa half and kept play tight, wearing the Pacific Islanders down.
The fact they were able to manoeuvre Samoa around to create space despite their numerical disadvantage illustrated both their fitness and the quality of their ten-man game – attributes they will need for the stiffer challenge that awaits.
Jordan Larmour, playing at full-back, was a bundle of energy and ideas, and
deservedly scored Ireland’s fifth try on 50 minutes.
With mission accomplished, Sexton was replaced by Joey Carbery and presumably wrapped up in cotton wool ahead of the quarter final.
Samoa’s discipline continued to deteriorate under Irish pressure and TJ Ioane was yellow-carded.
CJ Stander and Andrew Conway added further tries and ensured the platoons of flag-draped Ireland fans went singing into the night.