Ireland scores seven tries to overpower Japan 50-22
Ireland scored seven tries to overpower Japan 50-22 yesterday in a test featuring two teams that will meet in the group stage of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Keith Earls scored Ireland’s first try in the 11th minute and, with Heiichiro Ito sent to the sin bin in the 24th minute, the visitors added 21 points from two tries by Dan Leavy and another by Jack Conan for a 31-3 lead at halftime.
Ireland was missing 11 players who are involved in the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand, and was using the test to give younger players international experience. The two teams play again on June 24 in Tokyo. “We’re very happy with the way we started and Japan probably didn’t show how well they can play,” said Ireland captain Rhys Ruddock. “But they finished strongly and for next week we’ll have to be a lot better. We’ll have to tighten up our defense and play a bit better kicking game as well.”
Ireland kept the pressure on after the break with Conan crossing for this second try, converted by Paddy Jackson, for a 38-3 lead. Andrew Conway was sent off for a high tackle in the 51st minute, and Ryuji Noguchi crossed over for Japan’s first try on the hour mark to cut the lead to 38-10.
Garry Ringrose and Earls added late tries before Kenki Fukuoka and Yutaka Nagare crossed to give the hosts a boost heading into the next test.
“It’s very disappointing,” Japan captain Shota Horie said. “Our attacking in the breakdown area needs to be better. They play a very physical game so we need to be more physical next time.”
Yu Tamura kicked a penalty for Japan’s only points of the first half. Japan was missing Harumichi Tatekawa, Akihito Yamada, Yu Chinen and 98-test veteran Hitoshi Ono to injury.
“To beat one of the best teams in the world, you have to execute well, apply yourselves and you need to be desperate,” Japan coach Jamie Joseph said. “We were not desperate enough.”
Jackson kicked five conversions and a penalty, with Rory Scannell adding a late conversion. The two teams were meeting for the first time in 12 years. Ireland has won their five previous encounters.
The match was played at the Shizuoka Ecopa Stadium, one of the venues for the 2019 Rugby World Cup with an attendance of 27,381. — AP