07/11/26 08:00:00
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07/11 07:58 CDT Ireland grinds out a 36-20 win over Japan in Nations
Championship
Ireland grinds out a 36-20 win over Japan in Nations Championship
NEWCASTLE, Australia (AP) --- Ireland secured a bonus point in a grinding 36-20
win over Japan on Saturday to make it back-to-back victories to start the
Nations Championship following the come-from-behind 33-31 thriller against
Australia.
Next up for Ireland is a trip to New Zealand to take on the All Blacks, who are
coming off a 34-32 win over France in the tournament opener and a 47-17 win
over Italy on Saturday.
"Very happy with two from two," Ireland captain Tadhg Beirne said. "The target
is three from three, so we have a big challenge ahead of us in New Zealand next
week at Eden Park. We're going to have to step up our performance for sure."
Japan now heads to Tokyo to take on France, which had a comeback 42-26 win over
Australia earlier Saturday in Brisbane.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell made nine changes to his starting lineup following
the win over Australia, and gave a test debut to four players on neutral turf
in Newcastle, north of Sydney.
The lack of cohesion was clear at times against a Japan lineup that was coming
off a 27-10 win over Italy last week and pushed Ireland from the start.
Taira Main scored in the third minute and Takuro Matsunaga converted to give
Japan a 7-0 lead but Ireland leveled with a try to Nick Timoney converted by
Ciaran Frawley.
Matsunaga landed a penalty goal to give Japan a 10-7 lead that only lasted
three minutes before prop Tom O'Toole scored his first try for Ireland to give
his team a two-point cushion.
Another Matsunaga penalty goal gave Japan a 13-12 edge before center Robbie
Henshaw scored for Ireland following sustained forward pressure. Frawley
converted for a 19-13 halftime lead.
No. 8 Sean Jansen celebrated his test debut with a try in the 51st minute to
secure the competition bonus point and help Ireland to a 26-13 lead.
But Japan closed the gap again when Hayate Era barged over and Matsunaga
converted to close the margin to six points on the hour.
It prompted replacement back Harry Byrne to take a penalty goal in the 71st
minute, putting the Irish more than a converted try in front. Replacement
hooker Tom Stewart capped it off with a try after the siren sounded.
"We had to fight hard for that one, we had to stick in it," Beirne said. "Japan
kept coming at us, coming at us but we held on well. We got a nice try at the
end there to make the score look a little bit more comfortable than it was.
"We're going to have to build on that and be better again next week."
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
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