Ireland defeated Samoa 47-5 on Saturday 12 October in a Pool A match at Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka Prefecture, Fukuoka City. Ireland earned a bonus point with their fourth try just prior to the break for a 26-5 lead.
With the win, Ireland moved into first place with 16 points, Japan has 14 and plays a key match against Scotland on Sunday. Scotland has 10 points and if they beat Japan with a bonus point or win without Japan gaining a bonus point, they will advance to the quarterfinals. A win or a draw by Japan would have the Brave Blossoms winning the Pool.
Hopefully, the match is played, as the impact of Typhoon Hagibus could result in the match being canceled with a draw being declared. That would have Japan winning the Pool and Scotland exiting the Rugby World Cup.
Ireland opened the RWC 2019 with a 27-3 win over Scotland, a 19-12 loss to Japan, and a 35-0 win over Russia. Samoa opened the RWC with a 34-9 win over Russia, a 34-0 loss to Scotland, and a 38-19 loss to Japan. Samoa is in fourth place with 5 points.
Match Recap
Ireland scored in the third minute with a Rory Best try from a maul. Johnny Sexton then added the extras for a 7-0 lead.
Three minutes later Samoa hooker Selala Lam was sent to the bin for a no-wrap shoulder charge to the jaw of Jacob Stockdale.
Ireland took advantage of Samoa being down a man with a Tadhg Furlong from short range with sexton adding the extras to lead 14-0.
Ireland added a third try after moving the ball right with a break by fullback Jordan Larmour, who offloaded to Johnny Sexton for a try, which he then converted.
Samoa struck back after an Irish penalty attacking from a lineout 5-meters from in-goal. Samoan No.8 Jack Lam powered over the line for a try to cut the lead to 21-5 with Henry Taefu’s conversion attempt going wide.
Soon after Ireland inside center, Bundee Aki was red-carded for a high tackle to the head of flyhalf Ulupano Seuteni. Tusi Pisi needed to replace Seutini as a result.
Just prior to the break after an Ireland 5-meter scrum, Johnny Sexton scored a bonus point try in the left corner to take a 26-5 lead.
Second Half
Ireland continued their momentum with Iain Henderson advancing just short of in-goal. Ireland moved the ball right after a 5-meter scrum, but Jordan Larmour was held up. A penalty advantage was played and subsequently, Conor Murray offloaded to Larmour for a try. Sexton then slotted the extras to lead 33-5.
Samoa then advanced to inside Ireland’s 22-meters before losing the ball through a poach at the breakdown which allowed Ireland to clear.
Ireland kicked for territory after a neck roll penalty by Samoa and attacked from a lineout 5-meters from in-goal. After multiple picks-and-goes by the forwards, Samoa was penalized. More picks followed the lineout with Samoa repelling the attacks. Samoa flanker TJ Ioane was then sent to the bin for not rolling away.
Ireland had a 5-meter scrum and worked the ball wide right, but Samoa held up the ball carrier to win a turnover and a scrum. The dominant Irish scrum created a penalty with Irland attacking again from a lineout 5-meters from the line.
Jean Kleyn appeared to score a try, however, a TMO determined that Kleyn was held up. Samoa was penalized for a late hit with Ireland having a 5-meter scrum. Multiple picks later, CJ Stander scored a try and Joey Carbery added the extras for a 40-5 lead.
Ireland added a try by Andrew Conway, who grounded the ball after a grub kick by Carbery. The kick by Carbery was successful for a 47-5 lead.
Samoa appeared to have scored a try by Piula Faasalel, but the ball was dropped and then grounded. The double movement resulted in no try and a penalty to Ireland, which allowed them to clear.
Player of the Match honors went to fullback Jordan Larmour.
With the bonus-point win, Ireland secured a spot int he quarterfinals. They need to wait until tomorrow’s final pool match between Japan and Scotland to determine whether they finish first or second in Pool A. A Japan win or draw will have Japan topping the Pool. A Scotland bonus-point win or a non-bonus point win while denying Japan a losing bonus point, will have Scotland advancing to the quarters in second place.
The weather could impact the Japan-Scotland match and should the match be canceled, the result would be a draw with Japan winning the pool and Scotland being eliminated.
Squads & Match Preview
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. Johnny Sexton 11. Jacob Stockdale 12. Bundee Aki 13. Robbie Henshaw 14. Keith Earls 15.Jordan Larmour 16. Niall Scannell 17. David Kilcoyne 18. Andrew Porter 19. Jean Kleyn 20. Peter O’Mahony 21. Luke McGrath 22. Joey Carbery 23. Andrew Conway
Samoa: 1. Logovi Mulipola 2. Seilala Lam 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Filo 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 16. Ray Niuia 17. Paul Alo-Emile 18. Jordan Lay 19. Piula Faasalel 20. Josh Tyrell 21. Pele Cowley 22. Tusi Pisi 23. Kieron Fonotia
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