Tag Archives: 2019 Rugby World Cup

At halftime in Tokyo, South Africa lead Japan 5-3 in what has been an incredible opening half of rugby.  South Africa got off to a brilliant start when a strong scrum allowed Makazole Mapimpi to collect the ball on the wing as he easily got by Yu Tamura to score a try in the corner. Initially, it looked like the …

France face an uphill battle if they want to secure a semi-final spot at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.  They currently lead 19-13 after 50 minutes but they will play the majority of the second half with 14-men. Jacques Brunel’s side were in a promising attacking position as their maul stopped just a few metres out from the French line …

Just like the 2015 exit at the hands of Argentina, the latest in Ireland’s long run of Rugby World Cup quarter-final failures will leave a sour taste in the mouth for some time.  After they promised so much in 2018, Ireland became a shadow of that side in 2019 which ultimately culminated in a 46-14 thrashing by New Zealand in …

With one try, one assist and 21 carries to his name, Beuaden Barrett was named man-of-the-match following New Zealand’s humbling of Ireland in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash in Tokyo. The eldest of the three Barrett brothers was in scintillating form at full-back as the All Blacks swatted aside the Irish challenge. The 46-14 win now sets up a …

Steve Hansen spoke incredibly well in the aftermath of New Zealand’s thumping 46-14 win over Ireland at the Tokyo Stadium. Ireland’s World Cup ended once again at the quarter-final stage and it was also the last time that Rory Best and head coach Joe Schmidt will be involved in the Irish set-up. Best will now retire from professional rugby while …

Ireland’s Rugby World Cup campaign is over following a demoralising 46-14 defeat to New Zealand in Tokyo. Joe Schmidt’s side were on the back foot from the off, as a clinical All Blacks side ran in two tries in the opening 20 minutes to leave Ireland with a huge uphill task. Ireland did get two tries of their own towards …

New Zealand 46 – 14 Ireland Ireland are out of the 2019 Rugby World Cup after being completely out-classed by a rampant New Zealand side. In every facet of the game, Ireland were second best and they could do very little as the All Blacks ran in seven tries. Here are our player ratings on a devastating day for Irish …

New Zealand 46-14 Ireland Ireland have been eliminated from the 2019 Rugby World Cup after a scintillating performance from New Zealand brought the curtain down on Joe Schmidt’s reign as head coach.  The atmosphere was at fever-pitch before a ball had even been kicked as the Fields of Athenry rang around Tokyo Stadium while New Zealand performed the Haka.  When …

England are the first side through to the Rugby World Cup semi-finals following their 40-16 win over Australia at Oita Stadium. Australia started well but England were full value for their win. Jonny May went over in the first-half for two tries in quick succession before Kyle Sinkler and Anthony Watson rounded off the win in the second half. England …

England 40 – 16 Australia  England are through to the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup after they completely suffocated Australia at the Oita Stadium. Australia dominated the opening exchanges and their first score came from a Henry Slade knock-on which allowed Kurtley Beale to break upfield before Scott Sio was high tackled on the next phase. Christian Lealiifano kicked …

Four years ago Japan shocked the world by defeating South Africa at the Rugby World Cup in Brighton.  That 34-32 victory over the Springboks put Japanese rugby on the map and since then the nation has been on an upward trajectory when it comes to Rugby Union. Michael Leitch led the Cherry Blossoms to that victory over South Africa four …

Following Ireland’s historic first win over New Zealand at Soldier Field in 2016, the All Blacks travelled to Dublin for the return Test a week later and it was a match that left a sour taste in a lot of mouths. New Zealand attempted to stamp their authority on the game but crossed the line on a number of occasions. …

England and Australia have named their respective sides for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Oita.  Eddie Jones had made three changes to the team which beat Argentina in the pool stages. Mako Vunipola is selected at loose-head prop in place of Joe Marler who is among the replacements. Courtney Lawes replaces George Kruis in the second row. Henry Slade …

Ireland and the All Blacks have named their respective teams for Saturday’s mouth-watering quarter-final in Tokyo.  Ireland’s team is as expected. Ireland make three changes from the starting XV which beat Samoa last Saturday. Peter O’Mahony returns in place of Tadhg Beirne, Garry Ringrose comes in for the suspended Bundee Aki but plays at 13 as Robbie Henshaw moves to …

Ireland received a huge blow to their World Cup hopes with the news that Bundee Aki has been banned for three weeks and as a result, will miss the remainder of the tournament.  Aki received a straight red card for his high tackle on Ulupano Seuteni on Saturday and the independent Judicial Committee upheld referee Nic Berry’s on-field decision. The …

The quarter-final makeup of the 2019 Rugby World Cup is now confirmed after Japan’s sensational 28-21 victory over Scotland at the Yokohama Stadium.  Scotland took a 7-0 lead through a Finn Russell try but Japan dominated possession (79%) for the remainder of the half as they ran in three scintillating tries from Kotaro Matsushima, Keita Inagaki and Kenki Fukuoka to …

The IRFU have hit back at claims by Sunday Times columnist Stephen Jones that Ireland and New Zealand were “vehemently opposed” to the possibility that the Pool A clash between Scotland and Japan could be rearranged.  Prior to the confirmation that today’s game would go ahead as scheduled, Scotland have been putting pressure on World Rugby to rearrange the game …

World Rugby have confirmed that the final Pool A clash between Scotland & Japan will go ahead on Sunday (11.45 am UK & Ireland time) as scheduled.  Typhoon Hagibis has left 19 people dead, 16 people missing and more than 100 people injured according to the latest figures from Kyodo News. The destructive weather event as already played havoc with …