Sexton shines in Irish rout
First five-eighth Jonny Sexton gave a masterclass in game management as Ireland asserted their Rugby World Cup title credentials with a thumping 50-7 bonus point victory over Canada in their Pool D opener yesterday.
The Six Nations champions dominated the set piece, looked slick and creative in the backline and ran in seven tries under the closed roof at the Millennium Stadium.
Sexton contributed nine points from the kicking tee and scored the pick of Ireland’s tries, racing 40 metres to touch down in the 28th minute after being set free by a neat inside pass from Sean O’Brien.
Both captains spent 10 minutes in the sin-bin in a match that was otherwise played in a good spirit but it was the yellow card shown to Canada’s Jamie Cudmore that proved the more costly. had conceded nine tries in their four warm-up matches, held firm under huge try-line pressure from the Canadians augured well for tougher battles ahead.
Van Der Merwe did finally get the try Canada’s efforts deserved on the breakaway in the 68th minute after snaffling up Irish centre Jared Payne’s chip kick.
By that stage, though, replacement hooker Sean Cronin had scored Ireland’s fifth try and there was still time for fullback Rob Kearney to match his brother’s tally after a length-of-the field sprint from winger Keith Earls.
Payne scored the seventh try five minutes from time after a break from Ian Madigan.
Canada next face Italy in Leeds, while Ireland take on Romania and the Italians before returning to Cardiff on October 11 for what is expected to be the pool decider against France.