Easy peasy Japaneasy for Ireland
THREE tries in six ruthless first half minutes fired Ireland to a 28-point win over Japan in Ecopa Stadium in Shizuoka yesterday morning.
With Japan prop Heiichiro Ito sent to the sin bin, Joe Schmidt’s men turned the screw and scored tries through Dan Leavy (2) and Jack Conan.
Keith Earls, who was in inspired form just like last week where he tormented the US Eagles, had scored the opening try on 12 minutes, and with a 31-3 lead at half time, Ireland never looked back.
“It was a really tough game, but we were happy with the way we started the first half,” said Ireland captain Rhys Ruddock.
“They probably didn’t play as well as they wanted but they showed what they’re about late on. After seeing how hard it was to defend Japan in the second half, we’ll have to play a better defence, and a better kicking game to win the second test.”
While Japan scored three goals in the final 20 minutes, it was all too easy for the youthful visiting team, who had spent almost the whole week fretting over how difficult this game would be.
Japan couldn’t deal with Ireland’s dominant set piece, and with Earls’ confidence sky high, they had no answers to the Munster winger.
The first try came after a huge scrum by Ireland that demolished the Japanese pack and saw Conan steam clear with the stolen ball under his arms. Earls was on his outside and strolled home.
Paddy Jackson, making his first appearance of the tour, slotted home from the touchline to maintain his 100% kicking record and give Ireland a 31-3 lead at the break.
Earls added his second of the day with under 10 minutes to go, delivering the score Dave Kilcoyne’s lung bursting break through midfield deserved.