Japan 2019 - Pool A Ireland Japan Russia Samoa Scotland

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Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	Tries	PF	PA	+/-	BP	Points
Japan	3	3	0	0	9	87	41	+46	2	14
Ireland	3	2	0	1	11	74	22	+52	3	11
Scotland	3	2	0	1	13	98	27	71	2	10
Samoa	3	1	0	2	7	53	81	-28	1	5
Russia	3	0	0	3	1	19	125	-106	0	0

Japan 30-10 Russia              
Ireland 27-3 Scotland  
Russia 9-34 Samoa                        
Japan 19-12 Ireland                          
Scotland 34-0 Samoa
Ireland 35-0 Russia
Japan 38-19 Samoa
Scotland 61-0 Russia  

                                       
                     
12 October 2019         Ireland v Samoa                         Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka
13 October 2019         Japan v Scotland                         International Stadium Yokohama, Yokohama


Two games left. If Ireland get a TBP win on Saturday they qualify for the quarter finals irrespective of the result on Sunday. Any other result and they need to wait and see what happens between Japan and Scotland.
Any win for Japan and they will top the group (in fact a draw or losing with two bonus points will guarantee the same)
Most interesting scenario is if Ireland win without a bonus point - opening up a chance for Scotland to top the group if all 3 teams end up on 15pts and Scotland are able to keep their points difference ahead of Ireland.

SecretFly wrote:This is Pool A.  We got games to think about and talk about.

Good point. Apologies. It was a wry joke taken too literally.

miaow wrote:

Old Man wrote:True, Farrell on Andre Esterhuizen, but that was someone else who refereed.

No, no. Farrell did it twice last autumn. Wait to the very end of the video and listen to what Peyper says...

Peyper simply shouldn’t think.

Carty starts at 10 for Ireland, Pom at 6, Earls and Kearney back in and Farrell at 12 again. Best captain.

Japan being given the respect their potential threat deserves.  Solid team overall.  A lot of continuity from last game.  
But it will need the same impetus as against Scotland to discourage Japan early enough.  We have to make a crunching statement to them as much as we made it to Scotland - no sexy fancy stuff through us (or around us) boys.
High energy, intent and alertness one more time and then, if the result is right, we might be able to take a controlled version of a slight breather in the next two games.
The Japan game is kinda like Scotland MarkII, only this time they've be forewarned about how we mean to negate the fizz. So with a smart coach and cute players, will they have worked out a formula?

Farrell starting at 12 is very good. I hope that after his performance against Scotland, he will now rightly be seen as being ahead of Aki.

Or maybe we should just enjoy that we have now got a ready replacement in nearly every position.

Leitch rested suggests minor injury or being rested for Scotland in the knowledge he can't go back to back in a week?

Strong team, this could be a tricky game.

Looking forward to seeing Farrell in midfield again but not sharing the hate for Aki....

Carty needs a big game, I have a feeling Sexton is not right but they are taking a calculated risk he can make the QF.

Hate for Aki rodders?

No hate, just don't see him as the best option.

I imagine its a case of personal taste however, I think Aki has probably been one of our better players over the last year or so. The great thing is though that Farrell has always looked good everything he has started.

rodders wrote:Strong team, this could be a tricky game.

Looking forward to seeing Farrell in midfield again but not sharing the hate for Aki....

Carty needs a big game, I have a feeling Sexton is not right but they are taking a calculated risk he can make the QF.

I bet its all hype re Sexton, he will be fine. I expect him to play his first ever quarter final v SA.

I am worried about Conan though. Apparently he was due to start ahead of O'Mahony for the Japan game but then injured his foot in training. Good chance Jordi Murphy will get called up. Pity because Conan was working very well with Stander and VdF.

Conan would be a huge loss, if true that's for sure.

Joe said someone stood on his foot. So if it's a break that's him out. Hopefully it's just a bad bruise a d resting him.
But seems a bit much resting for a bruise mind.

Maybe simply saving him (and Sexton) under the usual all-over safety mechanism called 'Why Risk It?'

We know this is a serious game.  Undoubtedly, when we get to Samoa, it'll also be ranked as serious - and should be.  But for now we class this Japanese game as our most dangerous remaining game in the pool.  That might push the coaches to 'risk it' with players but again, if you don't have a squad strong enough to trust this Japanese game to without risking players unecessarily, then why turn up at the WC at all?

I hope the team are playing to some very rigid systematic tempo and intensity rules.  I hope all players know what is required of them when they step in and that they have to meet some serious targets to keep this WC assault going.
If I'm satisfied that the demands at coaching level are now at their highest, then players coming and going won't worry me unduly.  The strength of the squad is the key

carpet baboon wrote:Joe said someone stood on his foot. So if it's a break that's him out. Hopefully it's just a bad bruise a d resting him.
But seems a bit much resting for a bruise mind.

Totally off topic, and I apologise in advance, but every time I see your name I subconsciously read carpet muncher

Needed that try just to edge ahead a bit more.
Hopefully get the 4 tries before half time.

Japan playing very well so far, quite physical.

Japan giving it a real go in the first half only 7/8 minutes to go for the end on the first half and Japan 6 point behind. Come on Japan.

Gardener keeping Japan in the game so far

Here we go blame the ref for Ireland  giving away penalties.

He's a bit of a homer but it's a Best overthrow and Murray dawdling at a good attacking scrum that handed the opportunities to Japan.

Good effort by Japan, can they keep it close for 80 minutes though?

Engine#4 wrote:He's a bit of a homer but it's a Best overthrow and Murray dawdling at a good attacking scrum that handed the opportunities to Japan.

Agree on those two points but some pretty soft decisions going Japans way so far. Japan have also been very physical and well organised.

Great to watch Japan play their running rugby. So refreshing after having to endure the Irish style of play.

Ireland being out-muscled and out-played. Japan will probably tire though.

I hate offloads, linebreaks and cross kicks too. More up the jumper stuff needed

Japanese scrum looking good

Who was it that called out Healy’s illegal scrummaging? They are 100% correct

Yep, Healy is illegal every single scrum.

Swinging arm high tackle there by Ireland on that replay.

Good game this.

Come on Japan!

Ireland look knackered, c'mon Japan

Yessssss great stuff

Brilliant! Get in Japan!

Hmmm

What a great try for Japan. Ireland really feeling the pressure right now.

Yes take that Ireland! Come on Japan, another upset and the country goes crazy.

Teams that wear green do seem to struggle against Japan in World Cups

日本 日本 日本

You have to ask yourself - can Japan keep up the pace? Ireland look shellshocked

16-12 Japan. Who’d have thought this lowly NZ coached and captained side would have a chance at leading at 60’.

tigertattie wrote:Who was it that called out Healy’s illegal scrummaging? They are 100% correct

Yes I was. Also keep an eye on Kilcoyne, Porter and Furlong. Always pulling it down and it's so obvious.

Ireland will win but not sure Scotland will

Scotland have done Japan a massive favour by letting Ireland think they are better than they are when in fact all they did was beat a terrible Scotland team.

How good are Ireland coming back when down I wonder...oh, wait, we’ve covered that one.

Great turn over for Japan.  How many penalties is that for Ireland?

Ireland should of scored. Didn't. This is going to be so close

Ireland could still win this and will qualify from the pool. You do worry what NZ or SA will do to them though. Could be very messy.

Swinging arm puts Kearney out of the game. Carbery taken around the neck there too

Jamie Joseph next Ireland coach?