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Ireland confirmed themselves in the Quarter Finals of RWC 2019 with a superb 47-5 win over Samoa earlier today in Fukuoka. They secure the win despite being down to 14-men for three quarters of the match.
First half tries went captain Rory Best, prop Tadhg Furlong and a double to fly half Jonathan Sexton. It saw Ireland with the bonus point secured at half time.
Yet rather than be in celebration mode there was reason to be concerned. New Zealand import Bundee Aki was red carded in the 28th minute. He became the latest player in the tournament to be sent off for foul play, specifically for a no-arms shoulder to the head tackle with force.
Despite being a man down Ireland went about their task smoothly. Their efficient performance saw second half tries to fullback, Jordan Larmour, N8 CJ Stander, and winger Andrew Conway.
Ireland now await news from Japan vs Scotland to learn about their Quarter Final opponent. A win for Japan would see the Asians winning Pool A and Ireland finishing second. Before then the match itself needs to be confirmed. In the event that it is called-off then Japan will finish first and Ireland second. Such a scenario would see Japan vs South Africa and Ireland vs New Zealand in the Quarter Finals.
SCORING
IRELAND (47)
Try: Best (3′), Furlong (8′), Sexton (20′, 38′), Larmour (47′), Stander (64′), Conway (69′)
Conversion: Sexton (4′, 10′, 22′, 49′), Carbery (66′, 71′)
SAMOA (5)
Lam (25′)
TEAMS
IRELAND
1 Cian Healy, 2 Rory Best (capt.), 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Iain Henderson, 5 James Ryan, 6 Tadhg Beirne, 7 Josh Van der Flier, 8 CJ Stander, 9 Conor Murray, 10 Jonathan Sexton, 11 Jacob Stockdale, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Robbie Henshaw, 14 Keith Earls, 15 Jordan Larmour
Replacements: 16 Niall Scannell, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Andrew Porter, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 Peter O’Mahony, 21 Luke McGrath, 22 Joey Carbery, 23 Andrew Conway
SAMOA
1 Logovii Mulipola, 2 Seilala Lam, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 5 Kane Le’aupepe, 6 Chris Vui, 7 TJ Ioane, 8 Jack Lam (capt.), 9 Dwayne Polataivao, 10 Ulupano Seuteni ,11 Ed Fidow, 12 Henry Taefu, 13 Alapati Leiua, 14 Ah See Tuala, 15 Tim Nanai-Williams
Replacements: 16 Ray Niuia, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 Jordan Lay, 19 Piula Faasalele, 20 Josh Tyrell, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Tusi Pisi, 23 Kieron Fonotia
