Johnny Sexton became Ireland's all-time points scorer after Ireland beat Tonga 59-16 in Nantes on Saturday night.
The Leinster and Ireland star broke Ronan O'Gara's record by securing Ireland's bonus point in the first half of the game. Further scores from Caelan Doris, Mack Hansen, Tadhg Beirne, James Lowe, Rob Herring (2), and Bundee Aki (2) in the comprehensive 59-16 win.
Ireland came into the game looking to record their second win of the pool, a week after hammering Romania 82-8 in Bordeaux and were once able to show the rest of the world why they are serious contenders for the Rugby World Cup this year.
Before the game, the two teams had only met once at the World Cup when Ireland won 32-9 in 1987.
Here's how it went:
Johnny Sexton of Ireland celebrates scoring his team's fourth try to become Ireland's record points' scorer during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Ireland and Tonga at Stade de la Beaujoire on September 16, 2023 in Nantes, France. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)First half:
The game got underway. Tonga was guilty of giving away a number of penalties in the first five minutes, and after the third call, it gave Sexton the chance to record Ireland's first score of the night. The Leinster out-half duly obliged and scored his first penalty to make it 3-0 at the Stade de la Beaujoire.
Both sides failed to get an early grasp on the game due to sloppy handling errors, and Ireland was made to pay for their own set of penalty giveaways when Peter O'Mahony gave away a penalty for obstruction around 45 meters out. Tongan out-half William Havili, from that distance, managed to convert the penalty. The score stood at 3-3.
Ireland moments later thought they had the opening try. Johnny Sexton kicked into the Tonga '22, and the ball was dropped by Mack Hansen. He fed Andrew Porter, who dived over. However, the TMO confirmed that the ball was knocked on.
Andy Farrell's side could smell blood soon after this. Another attempt at the line was cleared away from Tonga. The resulting line-out resulted in Sexton finding his teammate Doris, who broke through. He then fed Tadhg Beirne, who just about made it over the Tongan line. Sexton scored the conversion to make it 10-3 with 20 minutes gone.
It was déjà vu moments later when Tonga got another penalty. Havili made it 10-6 from a similar distance to his first kick earlier in the contest.
Ireland's lineout came under a ton of flak last week for the number of balls lost, but you could say that was not the case in Nantes. A driving maul that came from one of Ireland's lineouts allowed Doris to barge over to score. Sexton again converted the penalty to put him within 2 points of Ronan O'Gara's points record of 1083. The score stood at 17-6.
The green machine was in full locomotion, and Ireland's third try of the first half came courtesy of rugby maverick Hansen. The Connacht winger was found in space and had a ton of work to do by the byline. He skipped inside two defenders before racing for the line and fending off more challenges to touch down. The try of the tournament so far. Sexton once again converted to make it 24-6 and draw level with O'Gara's points tally.
Footwork 🤌
Mack Hansen dances through the Tongan defence ✨#RWC2023 #IREvTON pic.twitter.com/EVtlTeGNQI— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) September 16, 2023
Sexton didn't have long to break the record. Conor Murray broke open the Tongan defense with a lovely pass inside to Gary Ringrose. He then found his captain in Sexton, who raced clear to dive over. A jubilant Sexton fist-pumped to the crowd after breaking O'Gara's record. The bonus point was secured with 40 minutes gone.
Tonga right before the half-time whistle took advantage of O'Mahony's yellow card, and Vaea Fifita found touch for their first try of the game and the tournament. The halftime score was 31-13.
Second half:
Ireland came out in the second half with a number of changes to the side. Johnny Sexton, Tadhg Furlong, Andrew Porter, and Rónan Kelleher all departed, with Ross Byrne, Finlay Bealham, Dave Kilcoyne, and Rob Herring all brought on.
Tonga got the opening score of the first half. Havili scored his third penalty of the game.
Ireland would soon after make a number of changes, unforced and forced. Sub Finlay Bealham departed for a HIA with Furlong back on in his place, while Robbie Henshaw and Iain Henderson replaced Garry Ringrose and James Ryan.
Shortly after, Herring scored Ireland's fifth try of the contest, but the replacement hooker was stopped short before making a second movement to the line.
Ireland continued to make changes. Craig Casey came on for Conor Murray, and Doris was taken off for Ryan Baird.
There was little to shout about for the first 20 minutes of the second half, but James Lowe's try made it five tries for Ireland. Byrne converted to make it 38-16.
Bundee Aki, who was excellent against Romania, made it six shortly after. A Byrne pass to Aki meant that he could find the line and make the scoreline even wider. Byrne did his duty to make it 45-16.
The Tongans were out on their feet by this stage, and it was Aki again that would punish them. A quick pass from Casey meant that he could complete his brace. Byrne made no mistake from the tee to make it 52-16.
Ireland were not finished and it wass Herring that bulldozed his way over the line to score Ireland's eighth try and 20th in total at the World Cup.
That's how it ended. Mission accomplished for Andy Farrell and Ireland, but there will be sterner tests ahead, and that test will come against South Africa next week.
The good news for Ireland is that there were no major injuries in the tie, and most of the starting team were able to get a rest.
Ireland's next test will be against the world champions in the Stade de France in Paris next Saturday. The game kicks off at 8:00 pm (9:00 pm local time).
Bundee Aki is a man in top form. He offered some thoughts on Ireland's defeat of Tonga tonight #RWC2023 #RTErugby pic.twitter.com/NGqMrCTZL6
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) September 16, 2023
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (capt), Conor Murray; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Tadhg Furlong; Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan; Peter O'Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris.
Replacements: Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Iain Henderson, Ryan Baird, Craig Casey, Ross Byrne, Robbie Henshaw.
Tonga: Salesi Piutau; Afusipa Taumoepeau, Malakai Fekitoa, Pita Ahki, Solomone Kata; William Havili, Augustine Pulu; Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, Paula Ngauamo, Ben Tameifuna (capt); Sam Lousi, Halaleva Fifita; Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sione Talitui, Vaea Fifita.
Replacements: Sam Moli, Tau Koloamatangi, Sosefo Apikotoa, Semisi Paea, Solomone Funaki, Sione Vailanu, Sonatane Takul, Fine Inisi.
