Japan stun Ireland to pull off another famous Rugby World Cup upset

[rpannier]

Japan have done it again, this time against the team ranked No 1 in the world just two weeks ago. The hosts came from nine points down to win after playing with a pace and fervour that the humidity and countdown clock could not dim and such was the noise when the final whistle sounded it would have caused the nearby Mount Fuji to wobble.

If Japan left it late against South Africa four years ago, here they took a grip on the game from the moment Michael Leitch, their captain who had been surprisingly named on the bench, came on to the field after 30 minutes. The hosts had troubled Ireland with their ability to offload in contact and spread the ball wide, but they were also excitable.

snip

Ireland had a final chance with 12 seconds to go when Isileli Nakajima knocked on just short of the line. Joey Carbery opted to kick the ball dead and take the bonus point.

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/sep/28/japan-ireland-rugby-world-cup-match-report

[OnDoutside]

1. Well done to Japan, they were much the better side on the day. We

At least got the bonus point, which may be important when the group stage is over.