Japan have beaten Ireland by 19-12 in the Rugby World Cup, turning Pool A on it’s head. There’s still several games for each team to go but Japan must be a real chance of getting through to the quarter finals. They play Samoa next week, and the following week will be a crucial game against Scotland.
Ireland should still get through too the quarter finals, but this will rock their confidence.
It was an intense and absorbing game to watch. Ireland started very well, scoring two tries too lead 12-3 half way through the first half, but Japan fought their way back, defended very well and ended up deserving the win.
Japan break new ground
FT: Japan 19-12 Ireland
Copyright: Getty
- Japan have recorded their first ever victory against Ireland in Test rugby, they’d lost each of their previous seven by an average margin of 31 points.
- Three of Ireland’s last four pool stage defeats at the Rugby World Cup have come against the host nation, also losing to Australia in 2003 and France in 2007 (also v Argentina in 2007).
- Japan have won five of their last six matches at the Rugby World Cup, this after winning just one of their initial 24 matches at the tournament (D2, 21).
- Ireland have lost to a non-Tier 1 nation at the Rugby World Cup for the first time, they’d won each of their previous 15 such games.
Your NZ 
Gezza
/ 28th September 2019Blimey! Who’s the Irish coach?
Never mind.
He’ll have to go ! 😡
Who else have they got? 😳
Corky
/ 28th September 2019Some South African spanker. Of course Japan won. Face demands they enter the playoffs before dying in glorious battle. Boy,oh boy, will the Sake be flowing.
Gezza
/ 28th September 2019Will do wonders for suddenly boosting Nipponese interest in rugger, I imagine.
Home team advantage. Good on them.
Corky
/ 28th September 2019Too true. There’ll be a scrum on every corner.
Alan Wilkinson
/ 29th September 2019Aside from their coach, what Kiwi links are there?
Kitty Catkin
/ 29th September 2019Well done, Japan. It’s not a tradional game there, so they deserve extra credit.
Corky
/ 29th September 2019Love the old chap who doesn’t quite know what he should do.