Land of the Rising Irishmen!
JAPAN 13 iRelAND 35
IRELAND signed off on their summer tour with a victory.
Tries from Ringrose, Van der Flier, Marmion and Ruddock had the visitors cruising at 28-8 at the break, with substitute flanker Reidy barging over for a late try in the dying minutes.
Fly-half Paddy Jackson enjoyed another faultless kicking display with five successful conversions.
Japan responded with tries from Matsushima and Yamada and three points from the boot of fly-half Ogura.
Joe Schmidt’s youthful squad, with 11 regulars away on British & Irish Lions duty, had previously encountered little resistance on their tour of the United States and Japan, storming past the Eagles 55-19 before thrashing the Brave Blossoms 50-22 .
They were finally given a proper examination here.
AusTRAliA 40 iTAly 27
AUSTRALIA held off an Italian fightback to bounce back from the shock defeat by Scotland.
The Wallabies were in danger of throwing away a sizeable lead in the closing stages, but two late tries spared their blushes.
Allan’s penalty gave Italy an early advantage but quick-fire converted tries from Naivalu and Folau put Australia in control.
Allan brought the Azzurri back to within four points of the hosts, but Folau and Naivalu both crossed again either side of Campagnaro’s score to give Australia a 28-13 lead.
Padovani and Benvenuti went over and Allan took his points tally to 12 to make it a one-point game.
The momentum was with Italy when Smith was sinbinned but it was 14 versus 14 after Steyn saw yellow.
Tries from Foley - who finished with 15 points - and Hodge secured the Aussie win.