Ireland beat Japan 36-20 in Nations Championship to stretch winning run to six
A much-changed Irish side scored five tries against a spirited Japan in Newcastle, Australia, to secure a bonus-point win and top the northern hemisphere table.
Tries enough to see off Brave Blossoms
Ireland recorded a 36-20 bonus-point victory over Japan at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle, New South Wales, extending their winning run to six matches. Tries from Nick Timoney, Tom O'Toole, Robbie Henshaw, debutant Sean Jansen and Tom Stewart proved decisive, although the performance was marred by set-piece issues and defensive lapses. Japan crossed through wing Taira Main in the third minute and replacement prop Hayate Era on the hour mark, keeping the contest alive until the final quarter. Ireland had made nine changes to the starting XV from the narrow 33-31 win over Australia seven days earlier, handing caps to four newcomers. The match marked Japan coach Eddie Jones's first game back from a four-match suspension, with a crowd of just 11,021 in the 30,000-capacity stadium.
- Japan 7-0 Ireland; Taira Main try, converted by Takuro Matsunaga
- Ireland lead 19-13 after tries by Timoney, O'Toole and Henshaw
- Sean Jansen try extends Ireland lead
- Hayate Era try cuts deficit to 26-20
- Harry Byrne penalty pushes lead to 29-20
- Tom Stewart try seals 36-20 win
Set-piece malfunctions
Ireland's lineout faltered from the opening throw, gifting Japan their first try when Rónan Kelleher's overthrow was collected by Main, who raced 60 metres to score. Further lineout malfunctions followed, along with scrum penalties, allowing Japan to stay within reach. Captain Tadhg Beirne acknowledged the issues.
Our set piece didn't function as well as we would have liked it to tonight. That happens in games, but we'll look at that for sure and we'll be ready to go again next week.
Jansen's eye-catching debut
Number 8 Sean Jansen, the 27-year-old Connacht back-row born in New Zealand, was the brightest spot. He carried powerfully, made 14 tackles and scored a try ten minutes into the second half to earn the man-of-the-match award. Jansen was substituted in the final quarter, a decision that indicated he may be in contention to face his country of birth next weekend.
I'm just so privileged to wear this jersey, and what a win. When we found out, when the team got selected, us boys were so stoked, it was a dream come true.
Farrell relieved to bank lessons
Head coach Andy Farrell admitted relief rather than satisfaction, saying the scoreline flattered his side given the stop-start nature of the game and the unfamiliar combinations. He emphasized the value of exposing new players to Test rugby 15 months out from the World Cup, with Sam Illo, Billy Bohan and Bryn Ward also making their debuts.
The scoreline is the scoreline and that's the reality, but it flattered us probably a little bit, especially with the stop-start nature of the game, with the errors and stuff like that. But I was just saying to the lads, that happens in sport, especially when you tinker a lot.
Auckland acid test
Ireland now travel to Eden Park to face New Zealand, who have not lost at the Auckland venue since 1994. With two bonus-point wins from two in the Nations Championship, Farrell's side tops the northern hemisphere group but will need a sharper performance against the All Blacks. Japan, who suffered their second defeat, host Six Nations champions France next. Japan captain Warner Dearns, a New Zealand-born lock, said his team executed their game plan well early on but lost control in the second half.
