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00:00:00that's right good afternoon and welcome from Bloemfontein the Irish side it's a
00:00:06mighty one they reckon that whatever Wales can do Ireland can do better
00:00:09they're fielding a huge pack with five target men in the line out one of them
00:00:13Neil Francis a survivor along with Brendan Mullen from the last World Cup
00:00:17meeting between these countries four years ago the young halfbacks Paul Burke
00:00:20and Niall Hogan who played in the last championship match against Wales have
00:00:24been restored in the hope that they can bring in their back division Japan have
00:00:28made two changes from the side beaten by Wales on the left wing they have
00:00:32Yoshida who returns to win his 29th cap in the hopes that he'll give Japan the
00:00:38cutting-edge they so desperately need in attack and also to kick the goals because
00:00:42that was a major problem against Wales the conditions absolutely perfect the
00:00:48replacements there the most interesting of course is Philip Danaher who was
00:00:52called out as a replacement for Jim Staples who broke his hand against the
00:00:56All Blacks he arrived a couple of days ago he's in pretty good fettle he hasn't
00:01:00played for three weeks but he's kept himself pretty fit so the referee is
00:01:06Steph Niefling from South Africa the first South African to referee a World
00:01:11Cup match it will be his third international that's Steph Niefling the
00:01:17conditions as you can see perfect once again the sun shining brightly it is a
00:01:22problem here the Sun it's so bright so intense and we're just waiting now for
00:01:27the instructions just watching the teams line up at the anthems the difference in
00:01:33size was quite considerable Ireland have fielded just about the biggest pack that
00:01:38they can and it's a Steph Niefling a big responsibility on him today and quite an
00:01:43honor as the first South African to referee the World Cup match and with me
00:01:47Nigel Carr it's very important to get this off to the right start isn't it
00:01:52it's a vital game for Ireland because obviously they performed very very well against New
00:01:56Zealanders but they must repeat that today so we're off underneath it the ball is
00:02:01tweed it comes off for Eddie Harvey and Ireland right away into the action
00:02:05working it back for Hogan difficult ball for Burt but he did well to recover
00:02:11straight down to Matsuha and he kicks aimlessly to Conor O'Shea but the whistle had gone and a
00:02:23late tackle on Matsuha so they'll get the penalty where the ball landed and my goodness Japan
00:02:33going straight for the short one taken by Tsukubara now it's Horikoshi into Latu
00:02:42may come Japan they're so swift in the counter-attack Yoshida taken by Hogan on the 22
00:02:51the Irish rattled early on Bruce Ferguson comes away with it for Japan in there is Neil Francis
00:02:59well right away into the action it's it's a great start for Japan and the feature there that was so
00:03:08coming through from the Welsh game they had a kickable opportunity to post and they chose instead
00:03:12to try and tap it and run it that's something Ireland must be aware of get back in quickly and
00:03:17turn and face so the first scrimmage just inside the Irish 22 held at the back by Paddy Jones Hogan
00:03:24and another indifferent clearance straight to the fullback Matsuda who loves to counter-attack
00:03:30decided against it on this occasion and another waste of a kick this time there's no obstruction
00:03:37and it'll be Conor O'Shea with plenty of time to touch down for the 22 yes the two reasonably
00:03:44inexperienced halfbacks coming in here Chris they weren't risked against New Zealand where the more
00:03:49experienced pair were picked they haven't got off to a great start but they're both fairly cool and
00:03:53calm customers and expect them still to settle down and play well very interestingly there I saw
00:03:57Paul Burke go across to the referee and get him just to feel the the inflation of the ball at the
00:04:03pressure of the ball because they are taken by but it'd be knocked forward by Davey so it'll be a
00:04:14Scrummage down Nick Popplewell of course they're captaining Ireland for the first time in his 28th
00:04:23international the referee making sure as all the World Cup referees have done that the side the
00:04:29packs don't engage too quickly that's a good scrummage technically very sound in the scrummage
00:04:34the Japanese Horikoshi waits now to Harao this is where they're so dangerous the passing is
00:04:42to Yoshida but he's still got plenty of room and he's still got the ball up to the 22 he
00:04:48comes the support comes in a little bit slowly from Japan Ireland are across in numbers just
00:04:55outside the 22 Hogan waits now to Burke standing very close giving himself but not much of an
00:05:02angle but he's found a very good touch from a very tight angle up to the halfway line but you
00:05:08can see Nigel how quickly the Japanese move the ball how dangerous they are at the moment Chris
00:05:13the Japanese are calling all the shots they're dominating now for Ireland it's important that
00:05:17they try and establish their pattern of play they haven't really done that they need to maybe slow
00:05:21things down and get a little bit more control there's the Irish captain and Nick Popplewell
00:05:25and it's all been happening at a tremendous pace so far he just got to try and calm things down
00:05:30Ireland must play it on their terms Ireland closing the gap free kick one thing the World
00:05:39Cup referees have been very hot on so quickly taken once again Japan not going for touch
00:05:48understandably they're going to run this ball whenever they can that's Fergus the big Fijian
00:05:55or he was a played in Fiji's a dominant now up to the 10-meter line
00:06:01again wasted kick there he was trying to angle it for the corner
00:06:09the pen back in their own 22
00:06:15a turkey who was outstanding in the preliminary matches
00:06:22very closely straight into touch so Nigel Japan looking lovely when they're moving the ball but
00:06:51they're kicking back yes they are certainly again they don't want to want to kick away from line
00:06:55it's Chris we're likely to see maybe some rubber kicks chips up and on there's that type of thing
00:06:59because there is definitely a height advantage for Ireland in the line X and they should make
00:07:03this count now Davey Tweed there six foot six standing two to three inches bigger than his
00:07:07opposite number one by Ireland by Davey Tweed and now a drive this is what Ireland wanted you just
00:07:15to suck in those loose and stray balls and that's a very good drive up over the halfway line Ireland
00:07:24still going now they lay it back for Burke. Burke aimed at Matsuda but not nearly far enough
00:07:33offside in any case careless work by Ireland so it was neither a good enough kick and in
00:07:40fact Ireland had got in front of the ball so an untidy start this by Ireland now there is without
00:07:47that's Latu number eight and the captain Kunda and it's Yoshida with a good touch so once again
00:08:05Japan back on the attack and Ireland rather taken aback I think by the ferocity of this
00:08:12opening Japan cut their line but they have no real hope of getting anything through it squid
00:08:16Burke a kick behind Oto and Matsuda but Matsuda had plenty of time and that's a good kick by him
00:08:32they can play almost up to the halfway line. Yeah again the last line out Chris was so a tactic which
00:08:37expect Ireland to use a lot today they should be able to catch clean ball in the center of the
00:08:42line out and they should be able to drive on if one of the things they should outplay the Japanese
00:08:47in their upper body strength and driving on the line out eventually releasing quick balls for
00:08:51their backs. Well that was squint so that's a given the opportunity to Japan a lost chance from Ireland
00:08:59there number seven there David Corcoran playing on the open side Eddie Halby playing on the open
00:09:05side Horikoshi rather too high not far enough but Ireland still have the advantage hurrah
00:09:20terrible pass to Motoki he's taken by Burke now Ireland have a chance if they can work it back
00:09:26Hogan has it away comes Keith Wood oh he's hard man to hold he's still going up over the 22 it's
00:09:36back now for Hogan into Halby, Halby a powerful man in the burst to Johns it's all a little bit
00:09:46slow now Hogan has it trying to find a gap Burke is with him so to Popplewell
00:09:58offside though is it or no going to ground so Japan given away a penalty in a very kickable
00:10:05position that was Kashihara and there's an injury in midfield it's somewhat worrying probably at
00:10:16the moment Chris at the Irish pack seem what slow somewhat slow to get behind the ball and drive
00:10:20over those rucks players are going off ones and twos and we're not supporting as quickly as we
00:10:24like certainly it's one of the important things here as well is it's actually very warm these
00:10:28conditions would suit the Japanese much you know they're more used to that type of thing than the
00:10:32Irish would be well Terry Kingston the Irish captain is getting up off the bench and parading
00:10:43along the touchline so whether there's a there's certainly an injury to Keith Wood and it looks as
00:10:49if it's his arm and it looks as if it's fairly serious so it was in that drive that Keith Wood
00:10:55took the Irish up over the 22 and it must have been there that he was injured and there's generous
00:11:01and sympathetic applause for Keith Wood as he comes off and what a tragedy this would be for
00:11:07this young man who's burst on the international scene and has really been bedeviled by injury
00:11:13and here he is now and it looks to me as if it's a very serious indeed and he his face tells it all
00:11:20and perhaps of what has been a wretched season of injury and that's Noel Murphy the Irish manager
00:11:28consoling him but he will be inconsolable so we'll give you news on that whenever we have it but in
00:11:35the meantime it's a penalty to Ireland and Paul Burke has this opportunity to put them ahead with
00:11:42really what has been their first attack because all the attacking play in the early stages has come from defeat
00:11:52so Paul Burke in his fifth international 29 points for Ireland
00:11:57all in part shadow here and this itself is a problem for the players very difficult to gauge
00:12:13and the brightness of the Sun but the ball flies if he gets it right he didn't but there's a still
00:12:23a chance as Paddy Johns comes to Corkery Corkery driving through up to the line the Irish want it
00:12:32back quickly Johns has it and he's being driven across with Kingston in support now Hogan Hogan
00:12:43out to field they're held up just a couple of meters short Hogan again and Hogan is brought
00:12:51down just short of the line Ireland pile over and they score Corkery looks as if he's got it and Corkery who scored against the All Blacks has done it again and that was just reward for his tenacity and for Ireland's tenacity
00:13:06yes that's the sort of start at Ireland we're looking for Chris they really need to try and
00:13:13dominate early on this is the sort of side that you must not give any opportunities to get into
00:13:17the match eventually when it came out from this loose ball Ireland had driven a couple of times
00:13:21and obviously Corkery again trying to run Hogan doing the dummy there and moving on and again we're
00:13:25seeing three or four Irish forwards getting there quickly before in fact David Corky gets his second
00:13:30try of the tournament he certainly scored a stirring try against the All Blacks and he's
00:13:35having a marvelous tournament so far he was one of the successors of the tour in Australia and
00:13:41then a disappointing home season but he's come back with a bang in this World Cup so Paul
00:13:48Burke having missed with the penalty it didn't do any harm in fact it's done Ireland a great deal of good
00:13:53so that has perhaps settled Irish it's taken them into the lead by seven points to nil and the try
00:14:16scorer David Corky. Here we can see it again and it was Hogan's thrust and everyone thought he was going to
00:14:26pass it wide he took in the cover and Corkery in support. Restart, Toki taken comfortably by
00:14:40Johns outside his 22. Good support, good cover for Hogan. But Ireland I shouldn't think Nigel will mind
00:14:55having lineouts all afternoon if they can keep winning. You know that tactic from the Japanese
00:15:01was a sort of persistent one of kicking to 25 and it really gives their forwards little opportunity
00:15:05to get under the ball. Ireland will be quite happy to try and contest these lineouts. A lot of these
00:15:10were thrown in the last match against Wales often over the tail. So Sukuraba and Bruce Ferguson in
00:15:16the line for Japan and it's Sukuraba who takes it off to Latu. A stunning pass into midfield and Motoki. Now it's Harao. Harao is found at the back. This could be dangerous because the support will come in so quickly and they are lightning in these thrusts the Japanese given half a chance. Just couldn't stay on their feet there and that's given Ireland a chance to regroup.
00:15:40Irish seem to have robbed them and that was an important ball run for Ireland. Back to Morrisfield. In the field only Sakar as they scum half Horikoshi. Now Latu and the wide pass now to Motoki. Harao has none outside. Yoshida and he has Yoshida outside him up to the 22. He comes.
00:16:07Dropped down by Wallace. Oh and the knock on just took his eye off the ball. Ireland have the chance to counter. Away comes Faddy Johns. It's all a little bit untidy and at the moment there's an Irishman in the middle of the field receiving treatment. But Horikoshi may be the smallest scum half in the tournament. He's got a mighty pass.
00:16:31Yes as you say Chris it's very disjointed from Ireland at the moment. Unfortunately they're kicking that loose kick from Morrisfield. Just gives the Japanese the opportunity they want. They liked and feed off that loose ball. Eddie Halby there. He had suffered an injury early on in the week obviously getting another knock and coming back into it. It was another feature. Some of their handling in the backs doesn't seem to be that great. They seem just over keen to get into the match. But really Ireland need to tighten the whole thing down. Play a much simpler game and make sure of their touch kicks.
00:16:57Well certainly the Irishmen are in the wards at the moment and it looks as if Halby's coming off to be replaced by Anthony Foley. It's an eye cut so it'll presumably require stitches and with luck Halby will be back. But Foley now takes his place on the side of the scrum. On the blind side which will enable Cordray to play in his favoured position on the open.
00:17:21So it's Hogan with the feed and this is all very disrupting for the Irish. They haven't been able to find the rhythm. Birk to touch. Nothing like the pattern they were able to establish against the All Blacks.
00:17:37It is one of the feature of course Chris of Irish performances. They so often raise their game for the big matches and these ones are much more difficult. But obviously now there's something very vital at stake.
00:17:49The Japanese cut their line. Bruce Ferguson at the back won the ball and Harau just inside his own half sends up a kick for Conor O'Shea. O'Shea has time and he had a good sense to keep his eye on it the whole time.
00:18:06He's found touch and done the clearing work well. Conor O'Shea coming into the side of course for Jim Staples who broke his hand in the opening match and will take no further part in the tournament.
00:18:26Certainly the ferocity of the Japanese tackling has taken its toll of the Irishman so far. Once again the line cut at the back is Ferguson. That's Kunda the captain.
00:18:40They're up to all the tricks. The long pass again into midfield from which Japan launch yet another attack. And when they flow they really can move. That's Ferguson again.
00:18:55But Horikoshi's pass not up to it. And so it will be a scrammage down to Ireland. But really Ireland have had very very few attacking opportunities and they have had very little territorial advantage.
00:19:12And this Japanese scram well they may be conceding a great deal of weight but they're holding firm. Look how low they get. And Ireland can hardly move them. They're trying now and they've got a good scrammage on.
00:19:25And they've got a good heave on. Referee Steph Neethling just pointing out that if the Ireland break from the scram they must come back. But in the meantime Eddie Halvey appears again. There he is waiting to resume play.
00:19:42Down to Matsuda. Matsuda's going to try nothing reckless. But he's found a lovely touch which has forced Ireland back inside their own half of the field. And really it's all Japan at the moment.
00:20:00Yes unfortunately our kicks from the halfbacks aren't particularly well directed. It would be much better to have that one going wide and sliding into touch. But really Ireland have to try and secure the first phase possession. If they could take a two handed ball from this and drive it on quickly releasing the backs that would be a much better style of play for them to adopt.
00:20:17Fergus Leier the main line out jumper. But that's one well by Ireland. Hogan. Matsuda waits just outside his 22. That was a good well flighted ball. Halvey in there and this is now trouble for Japan.
00:20:35And that was the first time of panic in the Japanese defence.
00:20:55And that was the first time of panic in the Japanese defence.
00:21:20Now they get it. They roll into the sunlight and away comes Neil Francis. And he's been given the try. It was Neil Francis from a classic take and ball. And it was Francis who went over for his try.
00:21:42And that was a fine try Chris to settle the Irish nerves. A couple of tries already in the game. And that's a better start in fact than Wales had. Again they took this two handed in the line out. The very tactic we've been talking about. And something again they've done a lot of training. Getting bodies in front of the ball and driving on until it became loose enough allowing Francis to drive over. And he's a big man and just managed to get touched down.
00:22:02Referee right on the spot. So the Irish forwards now beginning to make their presence felt. And this is where Japan struggle.
00:22:32So Birkbein with this conversion attempt.
00:23:02And we have Ko Izawa coming on to the field in place of Latour.
00:23:32Drop out. They've been practising that. Very high. Very difficult to take. But well cleared up by Davey Tweed. Laid back for Hogan. Offside.
00:23:47And Ireland now beginning to exert control in the all important forward phases. Clearing up well.
00:24:01Birkbein finds a safe touch. Japan only won one World Cup match in their three appearances. That was against Zimbabwe in the World Cup finals that is.
00:24:16A person who qualified well without losing a match. Wonderfully attractive to watch. But the big problem is here. Against men like that. Tweed.
00:24:29To Matsuda. Matsuda with plenty of time decides to mark. Now we may well see Japan move everything. And here they go. But it's so dangerous. Matsuda weaving his way out of the 22 and still going.
00:24:47And that's terrific support from Kajihara. And still Japan come. Oh. Otu surely went in feet first. But the referee allowed it. That seemed to me to be a hugely reckless manoeuvre by Otu.
00:25:02But the referee allowed it and has awarded a penalty against Japan for handling on the ground.
00:25:10No. I mean maybe we'll get a chance to see that again Chris. But it looked an exceptionally dangerous manoeuvre. I mean he is a big powerful man. But he lifted his foot and boot. And now one of the Irish players is down injured.
00:25:20It's Paul Wallace I think. And he. Otu who scored the two tries against Wales. Let's just have another look at it. He's an extremely powerful man. And here perhaps we can see it.
00:25:32And my impression certainly was that he went in. Look at that. Well we can almost see what happened there. And he went in foot first. And as you say Nigel. Very dangerous.
00:25:43But Paul Wallace happily in his first international appearance is alright. Although there's Gary Halpin just warming up in case. But Wallace has taken his place in the line out. And Ireland have a line out.
00:25:59There's No. 4 Davey Tweed.
00:26:07Kingston throws. Francis takes. The Irish forwards surge in.
00:26:14But it's held. Now away comes Kingston.
00:26:18Brought down short of the 22.
00:26:22Wallace takes on.
00:26:26Away comes Hogan now to Burke. To Field. To O'Shea. A loose pass there for Richard Wallace.
00:26:35And it strikes me Nigel that they haven't actually been able to work the ball out to one of the most dangerous men of all. Simon Geoghegan.
00:26:41No I mean both wingers can be very dangerous in their day. And what they're trying to do there in the forwards is to take it down drive it on. But at the moment they're not giving that quick ball that's so useful for the backs.
00:26:49And the Japanese backs can be up so quickly. They pressurize their opposite numbers with a neat time and space the Irish to actually get it across their line.
00:26:57So a scrummage down just outside the Japanese 22.
00:27:08Very poor pass there for Motoki and Yoshida's in terrible trouble as the Irish forwards pile in.
00:27:14Last up there was Johns trying to work it back for Hogan.
00:27:18And away now comes Popplewell. There's room outside for Corkery. Corkery has Geoghegan and Geoghegan goes over for the try.
00:27:25It was so easy when it came they were queuing up. And having just said that Geoghegan wasn't getting the ball he's got it.
00:27:32And with his first touch Geoghegan has scored for Ireland.
00:27:44Simon Geoghegan's an exceptionally good finisher. Popplewell there not taking too much out of the ball and Corkery too putting a wide pass out to Simon Geoghegan.
00:27:52He'll be delighted to get in the score sheet. He didn't have many opportunities against New Zealand.
00:27:56Well we can't give that man that amount of room but it was all started by Popplewell the captain.
00:28:03And Corkery as he's done so often in this tournament was the effective link.
00:28:07And Geoghegan was over easily for the try.
00:28:10So Ireland now beginning to take the control we thought that and hoped that they might.
00:28:17And they have certainly begun to dominate the forward exchanges.
00:28:22The other thing too of course is that they will force Japan out into the open.
00:28:26And force them perhaps to take chances that they wouldn't otherwise do.
00:28:30And that really was what led to the try.
00:28:34So Paul Burke after his early laps has kicked very sadly.
00:28:40Conditions are quite perfect and of course up here the ball travels huge distances.
00:28:53Has he got it straight? No. Just across the face of the goal.
00:29:09But Ireland's lead is comfortable enough. 19 points to nil there.
00:29:15It's utterly disappointing for Ireland.
00:29:18Paul Burke certainly hasn't started in the best kicking form.
00:29:21In fact Eric Ellwood in the last match didn't kick as well as he might.
00:29:24But there was the Popplewell so often as he does taking the ball and driving on.
00:29:28Passing it out to Geoghegan.
00:29:29And certainly from that 10 yards out with that amount of space he was bound to score.
00:29:33Johns takes the ball from the kick off with Kingston in support.
00:29:36Hogan to Burke.
00:29:37Burke standing very close to Hogan.
00:29:39And almost inviting the Japanese loose forwards onto him.
00:29:45But he's clearing quite comfortably.
00:29:49Brendan Mullen. We haven't seen much of him in attack.
00:29:54Kundu cuts the line.
00:29:57Davy Tweed at the front but it's going up to the back.
00:30:00There is Halvey.
00:30:01Izawa in the replacement.
00:30:04Now out to Harao.
00:30:06Yoshida and Motoko in a terrible mix up in the middle of the field.
00:30:11But away come Japan again through Horikoshi.
00:30:16Everything done at 100 miles an hour.
00:30:18And Ireland in the comfortable position at the moment of being able just to fan out.
00:30:22Yoshida. Oh he's not going to get past Halvey.
00:30:25But Halvey took him a bit high.
00:30:26Outside in any case.
00:30:29And I suspect that Japan will run this.
00:30:33Horikoshi.
00:30:34All 5 foot 2 of them.
00:30:37To Harao.
00:30:39The switch with Yoshida.
00:30:42And away now comes Kingston.
00:30:46Hogan.
00:30:52Hogan waits.
00:30:54To O'Shea.
00:30:56And that'll bounce well for him.
00:30:58That's a marvellous kick by O'Shea.
00:31:00Taking advantage of the bounce.
00:31:03And he's taken Ireland into a very promising attacking position.
00:31:08Yes that's a much sounder kick from Conor O'Shea.
00:31:11They're coming up from the full back position.
00:31:13Standing at about half and left footed.
00:31:15Sliding it across the ground and bouncing it into touch.
00:31:17That's a fine kick for the Irish.
00:31:19But Japan have actually taken quite a bit of line out ball so far Chris.
00:31:23They've thrown a couple short on the 2 man line outs.
00:31:25And one long over the back which Eddie Halvey nearly got.
00:31:28And that man Tsukuraba in your picture has done remarkably well.
00:31:32One of the 2 recognised jumpers.
00:31:43But Ireland penalised there.
00:31:46And I think it was Francis moving too quickly.
00:31:52Coming through too quickly.
00:31:54Francis was penalised.
00:31:57So it's Yoshida.
00:32:08And there we see Francis coming through on the loose ball.
00:32:11And the referee had judged that it was too soon.
00:32:21So Kunda off the back.
00:32:24Well taken by Motoki.
00:32:26Now away they come again.
00:32:28They're in full flow.
00:32:29Matsuda, the kick intended for Yoshida.
00:32:32Just beaten though.
00:32:34Not quite delicate enough.
00:32:37A dangerous man Matsuda when he starts to come up from the full back position.
00:32:42He injects great pace.
00:32:51And a reminder that the England-Italy match follows this.
00:32:58The kick off at 4 o'clock.
00:33:01Kingston with the throw.
00:33:03Ferguson.
00:33:05Now to Harau.
00:33:07Motoki, Yoshida.
00:33:09But it was an awful pass.
00:33:10But Harau had gone down on the loop.
00:33:12Up over the 22.
00:33:15The Japanese forwards though uncharacteristically slow to get across.
00:33:19Ireland there in the greater numbers.
00:33:21And they've won it.
00:33:22Good ball for Ireland.
00:33:25And a good clearance from Morris Field.
00:33:27Yes, a little touch of class there from Brenton Mullen.
00:33:29But the Irish really are not trying to secure that ball.
00:33:34That was there thrown in the line-out.
00:33:36And with the size of men they have, it must be well directed.
00:33:38And they must support it as they get the men up in the air.
00:33:41Another injury there, Eddie Halby.
00:33:43Once again, another blood injury.
00:33:45He'll have to get that seen to.
00:33:48Yes, my apologies to Mullen there.
00:33:50He's got a couple of gashes now.
00:33:53And that looks a very nasty one on the top of his head.
00:33:57My goodness, the Irish have been in the wars.
00:34:00Away comes Harau.
00:34:02And here's Oto again.
00:34:04Look at this man go.
00:34:06He's wonderful in full flight.
00:34:08Well brought down though by Hogan.
00:34:10That was a brave tackle from Hogan.
00:34:12Japan won the ball again from the penalty.
00:34:14Short penalty taken by Ferguson.
00:34:16Ferguson up over the 22.
00:34:18Now Harau.
00:34:21The referee says no.
00:34:23The crowd are outraged by it.
00:34:27The referee said no try.
00:34:31But he was bundled in.
00:34:35Over the dead ball line before he could get it down.
00:34:38That's Kajihara.
00:34:40Now, let's have a look at Harau.
00:34:42He's got the ball.
00:34:44He's got the ball.
00:34:46He's got the ball.
00:34:48And that's Kajihara.
00:34:50Now, let's have a look at this.
00:34:52It was lovely running by Japan.
00:34:54And it was Kajihara who was bundled in.
00:34:58And he was bundled over before he could get the touchdown.
00:35:01I think it was a good decision as Tony Foley comes up to take over from Eddie Harvey.
00:35:08So it's a scrummage five.
00:35:10But breathtaking attacking by the Japanese.
00:35:14They hold it now.
00:35:16They're going for the pushover.
00:35:17The cheek of them.
00:35:18Out to Harau.
00:35:22Just couldn't quite control it.
00:35:24But away comes Yoshiba again.
00:35:26The whistle's blown.
00:35:27The crowd don't hear it.
00:35:29He was well tracked though by Richard Wallace.
00:35:34Well, it's wonderful to watch when the Japanese get into full flow.
00:35:41Scrummage just awaiting until the ball appears.
00:35:46That's the head of Korkary peeking round the side.
00:35:49He's got Harau in his sights.
00:35:51But it's an Irish ball anyway.
00:35:57Hogan.
00:35:58Oh.
00:35:59Desperate ball there for Ireland to have to clear up.
00:36:03That was a terrible pass from Hogan to Conor O'Shea.
00:36:10Terrible pass.
00:36:12And it's forced Ireland to dock down behind their own line.
00:36:15So they've had to concede the five-meter scrum.
00:36:18They want quick ball.
00:36:20Away comes the scrum half.
00:36:22Tries to do the switch with Oto.
00:36:25But Oto is held up.
00:36:26He's still going just a meter short of the line.
00:36:28Now they come at it again.
00:36:30Harau.
00:36:31The pass is held up.
00:36:33But they come piling in again.
00:36:36This is the one they want.
00:36:38This is the one they want.
00:36:39They've got Latu over.
00:36:41Has he gone over for the try?
00:36:42It's Latu, I think, who's got the touchdown for Japan.
00:36:46Well deserved it is.
00:36:47They've been attacking this line relentlessly.
00:36:52And it's the flanker Latu, Sonali Latu,
00:36:56who's got the first Japanese try.
00:37:01Yeah, it was a fairly impressive period of play there for the Japanese.
00:37:05They moved the ball so quickly from those sort of situations.
00:37:07And Latu again trying to drive in.
00:37:09Foley just knew in the pitch.
00:37:10He's got quite a bit of weight and height.
00:37:12One of the imports to Japan and he managed to get over.
00:37:14It's something that the Welsh side had to contend with at the end of their match.
00:37:17To take the ball and move it again so quickly.
00:37:19And some big forwards trying to get over as well.
00:37:21A well-deserved try for Japan.
00:37:25So it will concentrate Irish minds.
00:37:29But they cannot afford to relax.
00:37:32And just going into a huddle behind the line.
00:37:35Just to encourage themselves.
00:37:41They've got to get back into the game.
00:37:48And Yoshida.
00:37:52No problem with that.
00:37:53That was certainly their goal kicking was awry in the opening match against Wales.
00:37:58But Yoshida on the left wing has been brought in to stiffen that.
00:38:01There's the try scorer we can see again.
00:38:03It followed a barrage of attacks.
00:38:06And the power of Latu there.
00:38:10Despite the attention of three Irishmen.
00:38:13Was enough to get him over for the try.
00:38:17And this is Eddie Halvey.
00:38:19Who's been on and off for running repairs.
00:38:23He's waiting again to come on.
00:38:26And he'll come on and Anthony Foley will leave again.
00:38:30So, restart.
00:38:34Well controlled by Japan.
00:38:36Horikoshi waits.
00:38:38But Japan now going for the ball before releasing Harau.
00:38:43And this is Yoshida. Akira Yoshida.
00:38:48Japan I think we can expect to see them running almost everything.
00:38:53But the Irish coming round.
00:38:56The wrong side of the rack.
00:38:59So, Yoshida will be to clear his lines.
00:39:06And, well it's pretty even territory wise.
00:39:11Certainly Japan at all the opening play.
00:39:17Good kick from Yoshida.
00:39:19So, a 19-7 Ireland far from clear in a way of this one.
00:39:31They've got to re-impose themselves.
00:39:35Francis Bounds.
00:39:38But, once again Ireland closing the gap.
00:39:41Francis is held to be responsible again.
00:39:44And outraged innocence there from Anil Francis.
00:39:48But the referee's been very hot on that.
00:39:50And he's penalised Ireland on three occasions for it.
00:39:54Horikoshi then.
00:39:57With the short penalty move.
00:39:59What have they got up their sleeves this time?
00:40:02Oh, away comes Japan. This is steering play.
00:40:05Wonderful, they're still going.
00:40:07And it's going to be a marvellous try.
00:40:09Yoshida.
00:40:11I think it's Yoshida who's scored.
00:40:13And a wonderful piece of running by them.
00:40:19And suddenly Japan are back.
00:40:21It was Izawa, the replacement.
00:40:27The Irish seem to have lost their concentration now in this five minute period.
00:40:30A penalty move worked there.
00:40:32And Sonali Lattu, scorer of the first try, really should have been taken down.
00:40:35Now, Simon Geoghegan seemed to have his man lined up.
00:40:37But wasn't able to tackle him.
00:40:39Just after him, but again they were going over.
00:40:41It's Ireland's lack of concentration, I think, in these last five minutes or so.
00:40:44Going to 19-0.
00:40:46They perhaps felt it to have the game won.
00:40:48They haven't. They're a long way from it.
00:40:50Japan are very much back in this match.
00:40:52And so it's Yoshida with the conversion attempt from in front of the post.
00:40:56And suddenly Japan are back.
00:40:5819 points to 14.
00:41:04And Japan, hugely encouraged by their first try.
00:41:07And away comes Izawa.
00:41:09In support of Lattu.
00:41:11This was an all back row move.
00:41:13And Geoghegan, who's a pretty fast customer, just couldn't keep up with them.
00:41:20And so, Ireland are struggling.
00:41:27Because once you give the Japanese a little bit of a sniff of victory,
00:41:31they're in there.
00:41:32They'll start to run everything.
00:41:34And they've got pace.
00:41:37And already frustration is showing.
00:41:41And Geoghegan took great exception to the attentions there of Kajihara.
00:41:53Strummage down.
00:41:54Strummage down.
00:42:04And that's Strummage that's gone out of control.
00:42:07They'll have to come and Strummage again.
00:42:13But Ireland at least given the advantage of having gained a few metres.
00:42:18That's a better Strummage.
00:42:19Hogan, Burt.
00:42:23Not a good kick from Burt.
00:42:26And a very difficult ball for Hogan.
00:42:28Oh, and Japan are back.
00:42:31Halvey up in support there to try and repair the damage.
00:42:34But Japan have won a Strummage.
00:42:36We're approaching, we're into injury time.
00:42:39And Ireland are going through a very bad spell in Japan.
00:42:43Injury time.
00:42:44And Ireland are going through a very bad spell indeed.
00:42:48They've been hugely unsettled by these tries by Latu and Izawa.
00:42:56And they just need to settle down now.
00:42:58Because they're in trouble.
00:43:01Horikoshi to Harau.
00:43:05Yoshida.
00:43:08And it's Horikoshi again inside his own half.
00:43:11Switching with Yoshida.
00:43:14That's Bruce Ferguson up over the halfway.
00:43:18Support there from Tsukuraba.
00:43:20Now they come again.
00:43:21They've got men on the outside.
00:43:22Such quick handling.
00:43:23Katsuda though loses his footing.
00:43:27With accurate passing there.
00:43:28There was more trouble for Ireland.
00:43:30But still the Japanese come away through Horikoshi.
00:43:35So difficult to pin down at Strummage.
00:43:37They're coming down the short side.
00:43:43Latu again.
00:43:44Kicks for Oto.
00:43:46Across comes Okada.
00:43:48And this is non-stop Japan.
00:43:53And that is the half-time whistle.
00:43:55And what appeared to be a saunter for Ireland.
00:43:58They were leading 19 points to nil.
00:44:00They've been hit with two tries in as many minutes almost by Latu and Izawa.
00:44:05We have a real game here.
00:44:07Ireland have a lot to do in the second half.
00:44:09They lead by 19 points to 14.
00:44:14Welcome back to Bloemfontein.
00:44:17Where we are just about at the end of half-time.
00:44:21And the news that Ireland lead Japan by 19 points to 14.
00:44:28So it's going to be a battle royal in the second half.
00:44:32Because Japan with these two tries late on are fired up.
00:44:38And Ireland hugely dispirited.
00:44:41But away comes Corkery now to try and establish, re-establish Irish control.
00:44:47Halvey is the one with the bandaged head.
00:44:50Now to Burke.
00:44:52Burke, the kick intended for that very position.
00:44:57Because Richard Wallace was never going to make it.
00:44:59But that was a well-placed kick by Burke.
00:45:01Yes, that's a fine start from the Irish.
00:45:03Much more control in the forwards there.
00:45:05Playing a quick ball off to Halvey.
00:45:06Driving through the forwards, Ian.
00:45:08Releasing quick ball to Burke.
00:45:09And a much better directed kick.
00:45:10Bouncing the ball into touch just a few metres out from the Japanese line.
00:45:13So early danger for Japan there.
00:45:15Forced to cut their line at the back there is Bruce Ferguson.
00:45:18It goes over the top.
00:45:20Always a dangerous tactic.
00:45:21You've got to get it so accurate.
00:45:23The charge down there from Hirakoshi.
00:45:27But they got away with that.
00:45:29Ireland so quickly through.
00:45:32It's a great opportunity now, Chris, for Ireland to try and re-establish themselves.
00:45:35I'm sure Nick Popplewell's had a few words with the forwards.
00:45:38A few choice words, no doubt.
00:45:40But it's a great opportunity with a strong Irish grunt so close to the Japanese line.
00:45:44We're going to see if they can go for the push.
00:45:49Japan back holding them now.
00:45:51The second shot goes in and now they're giving way.
00:45:53Now they crumble to the ground.
00:45:56And the referee, Steph Neethling, decides that they'll have to re-scrammage.
00:46:00But Ireland have gained a couple of metres.
00:46:05And he will be looking out here, I think, for any signs of a deliberate collapse.
00:46:11But Japan under real pressure here.
00:46:23Neethling just having a word with Paul Wallace on the tight head side.
00:46:28Now Ireland going for the second shove now.
00:46:32The scrammage goes down again.
00:46:36The referee not at all sure how to apportion blame here.
00:46:39On the loose head side is Ota.
00:46:42Yes, I think he's giving them a warning now.
00:46:44Because the Japanese have probably dropped that on the last two occasions.
00:46:47If it goes down again, I think he'll award the penalty try.
00:46:51Well, Ireland, there's no doubt about what they're going to do.
00:46:53Hogan waiting at the back but he's not going to get it until Ireland have tried to go for the shove.
00:46:59They're going now and they've got the shove on.
00:47:01And they're going up step by step towards the line.
00:47:05It's held at the back by Johns.
00:47:06Ireland trying to hold it in the back.
00:47:09A loud blast of the whistle and the referee has awarded a penalty try.
00:47:14Because Ireland were on the charge there.
00:47:16Nothing was going to stop them unless it was an illegal collapse.
00:47:19And they've got the penalty try.
00:47:21Yes, the Irish back there had a significant weight advantage.
00:47:23And I think on two previous occasions Japan had in fact dropped it.
00:47:26The referee gave them the benefit of the doubt.
00:47:28But on the third occasion Ireland again went for that penalty try.
00:47:31I think they knew that either the Japanese were going to drop it or they were going to push the ball over for a score.
00:47:37Paddy Johns certainly was very unlikely to release that to Niall Hogan.
00:47:41And really the Irish pressure there has counted.
00:47:43It's something again I think they want to try and do this half, Chris.
00:47:46They want to try and keep the weight on all the time.
00:47:48And the Japanese, that will wear them out.
00:47:50Now they're running around the pitch like mad things at the moment.
00:47:52But if the Irish can keep that weight on it will certainly tend to tire them.
00:47:57So Paul Burke with his easiest kick of the afternoon straight in front of the posts.
00:48:03And Ireland have extended that lead early on which is exactly what they wanted to do.
00:48:09Just take the steam out of the Japanese.
00:48:11The conversion is there.
00:48:14And so the Irish lead stretches now to 26 points to 14.
00:48:23And that's exactly what Nick Popplewell would have been calling for.
00:48:26Tight control and this kind of scrummaging power which the Japanese found irresistible.
00:48:34And were forced to concede the penalty try.
00:48:38So that may just have taken a little bit of the steam out of the Japanese assault.
00:48:44Which was overwhelming early on.
00:48:50Scrummage down.
00:48:55And Japan with the put-in.
00:49:01Away comes Latu.
00:49:03Very prominent in the first half.
00:49:07Harau.
00:49:09Otoko.
00:49:12So there's no way through there but laid back nicely.
00:49:14This is Aizawa again.
00:49:19And then Japan take it further up towards the 22.
00:49:22Laid back now for Harau.
00:49:24Now they're running it.
00:49:26Nishida brought down.
00:49:29Harau.
00:49:31Finds Aizawa.
00:49:33And he's round Popplewell.
00:49:36Can't get his pass away though.
00:49:37And that was a good tackle from Paul Wallace coming in.
00:49:43There's an injury in midfield and it's to Neil Francis.
00:49:51Once again Japan through Ko Aizawa.
00:49:56Who's come on as the replacement.
00:49:59Flank forward has been very influential.
00:50:03Francis now takes his place in the line-out.
00:50:06One layer of Popplewell behind him.
00:50:08Davey Tweed.
00:50:09No prouder man playing for Ireland.
00:50:16And up goes Tweed.
00:50:19On his 22.
00:50:23Francis looking to maul it round the side.
00:50:33Safely into touch from Paul Burke.
00:50:36I think Paul Burke complaining there Chris because he's not getting a lot of time.
00:50:39The Japanese are very quick coming round from the loose situations and scrums to pressurise the halfbacks.
00:50:45It's something that Paul Burke, if he could stand back a little or the Irish pack could give him a little more protection.
00:50:51Now in comes Latu.
00:50:53Once again they try this to the back.
00:50:56Ferguson held up short of the 22.
00:50:59Now the backs are running.
00:51:00They're trying to give Oto the chance to run into the heart of the Irish defence.
00:51:05But it's back again.
00:51:06And away comes Ferguson.
00:51:08Perhaps the wrong option there.
00:51:10Might have been better to go the other way.
00:51:12But Japan still have it.
00:51:14They're coming through Harau and they've crossed over the 22.
00:51:17Laid back from Horikoshi.
00:51:22And they're still going.
00:51:23The support is there.
00:51:24If they can get it wide.
00:51:27Kajihara. Kajihara held short.
00:51:30And away come Ireland.
00:51:32But offside.
00:51:34So Japan looking to run it back quickly.
00:51:42What are they going to do?
00:51:43I thought they were going to try and do a short penalty.
00:51:45They're right in front of the post.
00:51:47I would have thought they'd be able to.
00:51:48No, they're going to do a short penalty move.
00:51:50Away comes Sukuraba.
00:51:53Back again.
00:51:57And they're being held short.
00:51:58The ball comes back now.
00:52:00Now for the backs.
00:52:01Can they run it?
00:52:02It's Oto.
00:52:03Held short.
00:52:04Just two metres short of the line.
00:52:05This is the one they want.
00:52:07They've sucked in quite a bit of the Irish cover.
00:52:09Away goes the Scrum Half.
00:52:11Horikoshi.
00:52:12He's held up.
00:52:16But a loud blast of the whistle there from Stef Nietling.
00:52:19And he's calling for Neil Francis.
00:52:24And Terry Kingston.
00:52:26Terry Kingston and Nick Butterwell.
00:52:29And he's warning Francis for stamping.
00:52:36And he's issuing a last warning to Neil Francis.
00:52:39And there is Francis accepting and acknowledging his punishment.
00:52:44But it'll certainly be a major punishment if there's any further transgression.
00:52:48Because that was the sternest of warnings to Neil Francis.
00:52:52Now, what are Japan going to do?
00:52:54Are they going for the short one?
00:52:56And they're managing to get up closer to the line.
00:52:58Now they've got it back.
00:53:00To Harao.
00:53:01The wide pass to Yoshida.
00:53:04But the Irish defence is holding firm.
00:53:06It has to because they dare not let Japan cross here.
00:53:09And away comes Bruce Ferguson.
00:53:11He's held just short of the line.
00:53:14And this is a desperate attack and desperate defence.
00:53:19But the ball's on the ground.
00:53:26Again, Chris, like the first half, we're seeing Ireland start so well.
00:53:29And now a loss of concentration.
00:53:31They're really not tackling as firmly as they might.
00:53:33They must commit themselves to tackle and try and take man and ball.
00:53:36The Japanese are succeeding now by hitting a man and moving the ball away quickly.
00:53:40This is a stramage right on their line.
00:53:45But Ireland go for a shove.
00:53:47Japan now work it back again.
00:53:49Oh, just that final pass.
00:53:51Not going to hand.
00:53:53But Oto is still in there and he's a hard man to bring down.
00:53:56Away comes Corkery.
00:53:58And that was quick thinking by Corkery.
00:54:00There was no one back in defence.
00:54:02Matsuda has to chase back.
00:54:04Conroe Shea is up.
00:54:05So is Brendan Mullen.
00:54:06But Matsuda has got Brown O'Shea and kicked to nowhere.
00:54:10But there's no one in the Irish 22.
00:54:13Hogan's all alone with Yoshida.
00:54:15Yoshida's up.
00:54:16Takes Hogan.
00:54:17There are men over here.
00:54:18If Ireland can work it back.
00:54:19Iso is in there.
00:54:20The Japanese pack piling in.
00:54:23They're narrow numbers.
00:54:24And they've got the stramage.
00:54:26Yes, Ireland once again giving problems for themselves.
00:54:30Conroe Shea pushing up very quickly.
00:54:32Maybe he should have slowed a little and allowed Matsuda to go past him.
00:54:35The kick was a very speculative one.
00:54:37And Niall Hogan across covering.
00:54:38I think if Niall Hogan had the experience of maybe Michael Bradley,
00:54:41he would have just putted that ball into touching the far side.
00:54:44Again, they've won that ball very quickly.
00:54:46Away comes Horikoshi.
00:54:48Just the last pass.
00:54:50Can't get to hand.
00:54:53It's all finger-tip stuff as far as the Irish defence is concerned.
00:54:58But they're holding firm at the moment.
00:55:01Horikoshi again to Harau.
00:55:03The lovely little link there with Makoto.
00:55:06Now away they come.
00:55:07They've got men over.
00:55:09It's to Oto.
00:55:10But Gagan's got him covered.
00:55:13And the Irish defence all over the place at the moment.
00:55:16But the final pass for Japan just not going to hand.
00:55:19A little bit of carelessness.
00:55:22Isn't it odd, Chris?
00:55:24They're technically so proficient in so many areas.
00:55:26And yet a basic skill like handling is letting them down.
00:55:29There have been quite a number of occasions where if a ball had gone to hand,
00:55:32it would have put Ireland under so much more pressure
00:55:34and might have scored on other occasions.
00:55:36Well, the transfer between forwards and backs at the moment is lightning.
00:55:41They're managing to release the ball from the set piece so quickly.
00:55:44And I think it's that Neil Francis down again.
00:55:46He was in trouble a few minutes ago.
00:55:48He was certainly in trouble with the referee a few minutes ago.
00:55:50But he also had a leg knock.
00:55:53And he's receiving treatment again on that.
00:55:57Yes, this is a time.
00:55:58It'll give Nick Popplewell a time to muster his troops.
00:56:01And really, I think at this stage,
00:56:02he'll want to be telling them to try and steady the ball down all the time.
00:56:05Make their tackles count.
00:56:07At the moment, the Japanese are driving in.
00:56:09Anytime they come into point of contact,
00:56:11they don't try a physical battle of mauling the ball,
00:56:13but to move it again out their backs.
00:56:15And Ireland are finding it very difficult to try and pin them down.
00:56:18All the time, they're making tackles and balls being moved.
00:56:21So Francis is all right.
00:56:30All right.
00:56:31Waits.
00:56:32And clears.
00:56:39Successfully to touch.
00:56:43He's had a difficult afternoon.
00:56:45Some of the ball coming back hasn't been of the quality he'd like.
00:56:52Now Japan, once again, as they've been doing,
00:56:55cutting their line.
00:56:57Ferguson at the back.
00:56:58Opposite him is Harvey.
00:57:01Goes to the front, though, and Tsukubara.
00:57:07Not straight, so it'll be a scrummage down,
00:57:10and the Irish put in Tsukubara.
00:57:20And Hogan.
00:57:23Spotted a gap.
00:57:26But that may go too far.
00:57:31Komatsu.
00:57:33No, he's surely not going to tie anything.
00:57:35No, he doesn't.
00:57:41Well, Japan all was on for something.
00:57:45But that was Tsukuraba.
00:57:49And he was saying, you've got to kick it over the line.
00:57:52A dropout, and of course he sort of punted it over.
00:57:55It wasn't a classical dropout by any means.
00:57:58So he's...
00:58:03I think Ireland must have asked him to take the re-drop.
00:58:08I think he's given them the opportunity to re-drop it out.
00:58:11And this time it's going to be Motoki.
00:58:19The high hanging kick.
00:58:21It's a good one for his forwards.
00:58:22His forwards all underneath it.
00:58:24But well taken there by Johns.
00:58:27Now Bottlewell.
00:58:29Halvey up there.
00:58:30So too is Tweed.
00:58:31Back for Hogan.
00:58:34And Ireland forcing their way up to the 22.
00:58:36Lost possession of it now.
00:58:37It's given Matsuda a chance to counter.
00:58:40He's still going.
00:58:41He's light on his feet.
00:58:45And away they come again.
00:58:47Piling up.
00:58:48This is lovely running by Motoki.
00:58:50He's so dangerous in open play.
00:58:52And away now comes Kashihara.
00:58:54This is up to the 22.
00:58:56They're all there.
00:58:57The Japanese piling out.
00:58:59Fanning out.
00:59:00But they were just thwarted at the last.
00:59:04Yes, Ireland had an incredibly difficult match against New Zealand.
00:59:07Which took its toll.
00:59:08But this as well is taking its toll on the Irish players.
00:59:11They're under pressure constantly from a side that are really expected to beat well.
00:59:14They're tiring.
00:59:15They're finding it difficult to impose their pattern on the game.
00:59:20I think the worrying thing is that, as you say, they're tiring.
00:59:23And Japan look the stronger at the moment.
00:59:26They just need another score to settle them if they can get it through their forwards.
00:59:31But clears well this time.
00:59:33Up almost to the halfway line.
00:59:37But the strain is certainly beginning to tell on that bench as well.
00:59:42Now it is Keith Wood.
00:59:45Replaced at hooker by his captain, Terry Kingston.
00:59:53That one won by Japan.
00:59:57Now it's Otu making the break.
00:59:59He's so strong.
01:00:00He's still going.
01:00:01A lovely run by Otu.
01:00:03The Japanese support is coming in now.
01:00:05But there's a few Irishmen back.
01:00:07And away comes Richard Wallace.
01:00:08Had done well to clear there.
01:00:10Just outside the Irish 22.
01:00:13David Tweed trying to work the ball back for his back.
01:00:16Stuke, Connor O'Shea.
01:00:18And O'Shea left footed.
01:00:19That'll be a lovely touch.
01:00:21One bounce and that's taken Ireland clear of the immediate danger.
01:00:25A good kick by O'Shea.
01:00:27He's made some good touch finds this afternoon.
01:00:30And none more important than that one.
01:00:32Because that was a stirring run.
01:00:33Once again by Otu.
01:00:36Yes, Connor O'Shea has been a steadying influence in the Irish play.
01:00:39When some of the kicks are going directly to the opposite numbers.
01:00:42Giving them the opportunity to run back at Ireland.
01:00:44O'Shea has managed to slide them into touch.
01:00:49Tweed.
01:00:51Winning his fourth cap this afternoon.
01:00:55O'Shea.
01:01:00Once again Japan have won the line out.
01:01:02Harao.
01:01:03The cut out pass.
01:01:04The two cut out pass to Yoshida.
01:01:06Yoshida's gone straight past.
01:01:07Up on the half way line.
01:01:08Up on the ten meter line.
01:01:10This is going to be a sensational try.
01:01:12If he can get past Hagen.
01:01:13He was just brought down though short.
01:01:15Wonderful running by Yoshida.
01:01:18But still Japan are piling in.
01:01:20If they can get it there's still danger.
01:01:23Oh what beautiful.
01:01:25Magical running by Yoshida on that left wing.
01:01:30Yes he's only five foot six high.
01:01:32But he's got blistering pace.
01:01:34A score of three tries in the last World Cup in 1991.
01:01:38And he nearly got his first of this particular tournament.
01:01:40Ireland really.
01:01:41We can see it from the reverse angle.
01:01:43Stepping inside Richard Wallace.
01:01:44And then going on the outside.
01:01:45Now he looked like he might get into the corner.
01:01:47But there were covering men coming across.
01:01:49And he tried to step back inside.
01:01:51Unfortunately for the Japanese side.
01:01:53Just losing his feet.
01:01:54But it was another opportunity.
01:01:55Where Japan have looked so dangerous.
01:01:57They're just one or two passes away.
01:01:58From actually getting another score.
01:02:00There are more casualties on the Irish side.
01:02:04That looks as if it's Paul Burke.
01:02:06And there's another one down for Japan.
01:02:08It's all pretty hectic.
01:02:10And I think the pace beginning to tell now.
01:02:12But it was interesting to see there.
01:02:14That not only was Hagen covering.
01:02:16But Paul Wallace the prop.
01:02:18Was bursting his lungs to get up there.
01:02:20And had done very well.
01:02:22And had just I think diverted Yoshida's concentration.
01:02:26By stopping forcing him on the inside.
01:02:29And that was where the move came to an end.
01:02:31But so dangerous.
01:02:33And Japan gaining in strength now.
01:02:36You would have thought that the forward exchanges.
01:02:38Would have taken much more out of them.
01:02:41Than of the Irish.
01:02:42But it doesn't appear to be the case.
01:02:44So it's a scrummage down.
01:02:46Inside the Irish 22.
01:02:51And the referee just not too happy.
01:02:55With the Irish scrummaging on the tight head side at the moment.
01:02:59That's all right.
01:03:00Hagen is there.
01:03:05To Burke.
01:03:07And Burke really can do very little with that.
01:03:09That was a tight angle.
01:03:10There wasn't much on for him.
01:03:12And he shakes his head.
01:03:13He's not happy with the service he's getting.
01:03:16Morris Field there beside him.
01:03:18So it's a line out to just inside the Irish 22.
01:03:22And Japan have been doing rather well at the line out.
01:03:29Kunda throws.
01:03:30They've won it again in the middle.
01:03:31Now Harao.
01:03:32What have they got up their sleeves this time?
01:03:33The link with Harao.
01:03:35Harao's over.
01:03:36And is he through?
01:03:37He's over for a sensational try.
01:03:39All the way from Harao.
01:03:40The fly half.
01:03:41Well what a marvellous try that was.
01:03:45And they're finding gaps all over this Irish defence.
01:03:54Well the crowd who are supporting the underdogs here love that.
01:03:59I mean it was a two handed line out catch initially that set up the great possession.
01:04:03A little bit of movement and looping round in the centre of the pitch.
01:04:05Coming round from out half.
01:04:06Again Aron had opportunities to put him down and missed.
01:04:09But the gap there was a mighty one.
01:04:12He could have driven something much bigger than Harao through it.
01:04:15That's for sure.
01:04:16And the Irish defence certainly found wanting there on what was a pretty simple loop move.
01:04:21But it was all done with such speed.
01:04:30So it's Yoshida.
01:04:32And Yoshida has added the goal points.
01:04:35And suddenly Japan are back and Ireland are back in trouble.
01:04:3926-21 the lead.
01:04:43And it's interesting that...
01:04:45Let's have a look at this gap again.
01:04:47Now here was the loop.
01:04:49It was beautifully executed.
01:04:51But the gap was a mighty one.
01:04:53And there was nothing that Geoghegan could do to repair that damage.
01:05:01So Yoshida brought in also a punch from his running for his goal kicking.
01:05:05And his goal kicking has been pretty accurate so far.
01:05:08Again away comes Harvey.
01:05:10To try and get Ireland back into this match.
01:05:12And they must do it quickly because Japan are all over the place.
01:05:15And they're so difficult to stop when they get on top.
01:05:17Popplewell goes round the side.
01:05:21Now away comes Tweed.
01:05:30Again going for the corner.
01:05:32And if it bounces well...
01:05:35Perfectly.
01:05:37That's twice this half.
01:05:39He's kicked with great precision into that corner.
01:05:42A fine kick from Birkin.
01:05:44You can see him there trying to raise his side.
01:05:46There's no doubt that Ireland are the better side.
01:05:48They can put it together at moments.
01:05:50I mean once they've been stung by a try they're coming right back up again.
01:05:53But they're not performing consistently well.
01:05:56And Japan now have a sniff of an upset.
01:05:58And they're going to be tremendously hard to beat.
01:06:00And you can reckon that they're going to run everything.
01:06:02That's Ota.
01:06:03But not straight.
01:06:05It's always a very brave maneuver that to throw over the top at your own line.
01:06:09You've got to be pinpointing your accuracy.
01:06:11They weren't there. They've given away a scrummage.
01:06:13And this of course is very much the place where they conceded the penalty try earlier on.
01:06:18And you can rest assured that Ireland will go for that here.
01:06:26And the referee coming round to the Irish tight head side.
01:06:29He hasn't been just terribly happy with what's been going on on that side.
01:06:32Whether it's Ota on the Japanese loose head or Paul Wallace we don't know.
01:06:37But here they're going to hold it.
01:06:39And Hogan directing operations from behind.
01:06:41He knows he's not going to get the ball.
01:06:43They're waiting for the second drive coming in from the Irish now.
01:06:47And the referee will be watching very closely to see if there's another collapse.
01:06:53Asking Japan to stay on their feet.
01:06:56Wants the props to prop straight.
01:07:01Hogan not happy though.
01:07:02He's not going to put the ball in until he is.
01:07:04Because this is a crucial scrummage.
01:07:10This is where the Japanese are at their most vulnerable.
01:07:14And Ireland know it.
01:07:15And they must go for one here.
01:07:17Well it's gone down at Japanese scrum.
01:07:19But they're holding.
01:07:21Going for it now Ireland.
01:07:23But there's not any change to be got out of that scrummage.
01:07:28The referee deciding to give them another chance to scrum down.
01:07:36Ireland quite happy to stay here all afternoon.
01:07:39And now a penalty has been awarded against the scrum.
01:07:42I don't know.
01:07:43He didn't give them any chance to really to get down there.
01:07:46Just to scrummage.
01:07:47And he's awarded a penalty.
01:07:49Yes Ireland there Chris again choosing to scrummage.
01:07:52They definitely feel they have advantage over the Japanese.
01:07:54And perhaps a strange decision.
01:07:55They might have even expected a penalty try.
01:07:57Well Ireland as I say will be happy to spend the whole afternoon here.
01:08:00If they have to.
01:08:01And they're going for it.
01:08:02And the scrummage goes down again.
01:08:04Now the referee is a little bit uncertain I think.
01:08:07Is he going to award another penalty.
01:08:09Or is this just another scrummage.
01:08:10Another feed to Ireland.
01:08:13I think that's what it is.
01:08:15In the meantime Ireland hope to be sapping the energy of those tight forwards.
01:08:23They certainly need something to quiet them down.
01:08:28That's Sasukuraba.
01:08:36Now Ireland will be going for it.
01:08:38That's such a low Japanese scrummage.
01:08:41You wonder that they can hold that.
01:08:43And it doesn't.
01:08:45But Ireland still going.
01:08:46They're held up on another penalty try.
01:08:48It had to come.
01:08:49There was no doubt.
01:08:50That's a fair tactic.
01:08:51It's exactly what Ireland want to do.
01:08:53And the referee quite right.
01:08:55Yes quite right Chris.
01:08:56There were a succession of scrummages there where Ireland were always keeping the pressure on their opponents.
01:09:00And the wear tending to wear them down.
01:09:02It wasn't a particularly popular decision here in the ground.
01:09:05The crowd have now got very much behind the underdogs.
01:09:07But it was a well deserved try from Ireland.
01:09:09They're much more powerful in the scrummage.
01:09:11Paddy Jones was controlling well at the base.
01:09:13It was never out of his control.
01:09:14And they were always likely to score if it hadn't been collapsed.
01:09:17And it of course I suppose isn't quite what the crowd are wanting.
01:09:22They want to see the sort of tries that Japan are scoring.
01:09:25But it's a legitimate ploy.
01:09:27And both these penalty tries have come following superb kicks into space from this man Paul Burke.
01:09:37And he's kicked another two points.
01:09:40And that's just what Ireland needed to take them into the safety zone again.
01:09:4431, 33 points to 21 the lead.
01:09:49Well again Chris, it was a very sound scrum from the Irish.
01:09:52And the Irish forward certainly were working hard all the time.
01:09:55There was an awful lot of pressure.
01:09:56No scrums even when they don't move that far.
01:09:58But Ireland definitely had the advantage.
01:10:00And we can see the Japanese going down first.
01:10:03And away now comes Paul Wallace.
01:10:05He's had an encouraging first international.
01:10:08Davey Tweed supporting him.
01:10:10And now Halvey up to the halfway line.
01:10:12This is more like the thing from Ireland.
01:10:14Paul Burke trying to control it.
01:10:15Loses the control.
01:10:16But Paddy Johns kicks on.
01:10:19And Japan deep inside their own 22 just have to scramble the ball into touch.
01:10:27I don't feel Ireland should, you know, they don't want to play it too loose.
01:10:30I think they want to try and tighten it down.
01:10:32Here we can see figures we certainly wouldn't have predicted from the start of the match.
01:10:35The Japanese having the advantage in territory in both halves.
01:10:38Ireland really want to try and steady it up again.
01:10:40The sort of tactic that was so successful for them at the start of the match.
01:10:43Davey Tweed or Neil Francis in the middle of the line.
01:10:46Catching in two hands.
01:10:47Driving on and maybe peeling round in a controlled and orderly fashion.
01:10:51Round the sides of the rucks.
01:10:53Ireland really need to get their game together.
01:10:55And not play too loose as it's playing into the Japanese hands.
01:10:59Kingston with the throw.
01:11:02Up to the back.
01:11:03Up there goes Neil Francis.
01:11:05The drive.
01:11:06Controlled drive coming in now from the Irish forward.
01:11:08This is more like the thing.
01:11:09And once again the Japanese forwards forced into retreat.
01:11:13This is tiring them.
01:11:14This is taking the strength from them.
01:11:17And discouraging them.
01:11:18And tightening them up.
01:11:20And they're moving towards their own goal line.
01:11:22This is an irresistible drive by Ireland.
01:11:24They're surely going over.
01:11:25And it's going to be a score for Halvey.
01:11:28Eddie Halvey peeled away.
01:11:30And got the try that Ireland wanted.
01:11:34Yes, it was said.
01:11:35Yes, it was a good try from Ireland.
01:11:37Ireland so often outweighed by other packs.
01:11:40By the English, Australians, New Zealanders and so on.
01:11:42But this time it's the right tactics.
01:11:44They've got the weight behind them.
01:11:46When they caught that ball.
01:11:47They moved it right to the back.
01:11:49They kept it protected until it loosened up.
01:11:51Allowing Eddie Halvey to run round the side.
01:11:53Eddie Halvey correct in trying to get as close to the post.
01:11:56And making the kick as straight forward for Paul Burke as possible.
01:11:59Well, it was a classic mall try.
01:12:02It was Eddie Halvey.
01:12:04It was Eddie Halvey's first in the tournament.
01:12:06It was also his first for Ireland.
01:12:08And after all the running repairs he's required.
01:12:14He's kept at the task very well indeed.
01:12:17Worked very hard on that flank.
01:12:19And suddenly Ireland now in complete control in the forwards.
01:12:23And Japan it is who look very tired.
01:12:34So Paul Burke.
01:12:37Trying to add the goal points.
01:12:40And the total looking a great deal healthier now for Ireland.
01:12:50He's got that one.
01:12:52And that has taken Ireland to the 40 point mark.
01:12:5640 points to 21.
01:12:58And suddenly in the space of the last 5 minutes.
01:13:00The game has turned around completely.
01:13:02After Japan threatened to be taking control through their backs.
01:13:06Yes, Ireland there.
01:13:07We see that try again from high in the back stand.
01:13:10Eddie Halvey getting round.
01:13:11But they must start again in a controlled way.
01:13:13They must try and catch this ball.
01:13:14And not allow the Japanese to drive through as they're doing at the moment.
01:13:18Popplewell.
01:13:21At the bottom of that.
01:13:26Hogan back to Burke.
01:13:28And that's a better one from Burke.
01:13:30Even from a narrow angle now.
01:13:31He's finding his touch.
01:13:33He's a highly promising young player.
01:13:37Snappled by Ireland after he'd chosen to play his early rugby with England.
01:13:43But he's got a long career ahead of him surely.
01:13:46As Ireland somehow.
01:13:47Paddy Whelan there.
01:13:48Assistant coach.
01:13:50A lot happier man now I should think.
01:13:52As Francis takes that cleanly.
01:13:56But closing the gap.
01:14:01Francis has not exactly been the referee's pin-up this afternoon.
01:14:06He's fallen foul of him a few times.
01:14:09And Japan now come away.
01:14:12But not quite the power that was in their earlier thrusts.
01:14:19Away it comes to Harao.
01:14:21Swift passing.
01:14:22Oh it's lightning stuff.
01:14:24Sleight of hand.
01:14:25But away comes Corkery now.
01:14:33Hogan.
01:14:34Hogan's found a gap.
01:14:35And he's got Dagan outside.
01:14:37Dagan turning inside to Hogan again.
01:14:40To Popplewell.
01:14:41Popplewell's found a wonderful gap.
01:14:43Decided to go all the way if he can.
01:14:45He's got support from Corkery.
01:14:47Up to the 22 they come.
01:14:48Away now comes Paddy Johns.
01:14:50Up over the 22.
01:14:51The Irish forwards are in there.
01:14:52But in no great numbers.
01:14:53Kingston loses control.
01:14:57Just a little bit slow in getting up there Ireland.
01:15:00In support of Popplewell.
01:15:02Who charged through.
01:15:05Yes I think too many Irish forwards standing back there Chris.
01:15:08So we're all expecting the ball to come back.
01:15:10And they would get a charge on with it.
01:15:11We need more forwards committing ourselves to winning that ball initially.
01:15:15On that occasion too many tried to actually run with it.
01:15:18And they're being knocked out of Terry Kingston's hands.
01:15:21And the scrum going down to the Japanese.
01:15:24Well there's an injury again to one of the flankers it must be.
01:15:28Because I see Tony Foley.
01:15:30Anthony Foley who's been in and out of this game.
01:15:33Oh it's Davey Tweed who's injured.
01:15:36In which case then it would be Paddy Johns.
01:15:38Presumably would move up to the second row.
01:15:40But Tweed doesn't look as if he's going to be taken off easily.
01:15:44He's worked terribly hard to get there.
01:15:46Oh there's the sign.
01:15:47You can stay off.
01:15:48I'm going to stay on.
01:15:50Good old Davey Tweed.
01:15:51The oldest man to win his first cap.
01:15:54The age of 35.
01:15:55He's not going to come off unless it's very serious.
01:15:58Now away come Japan through Matsuda.
01:16:01The support there from Izo.
01:16:03He's been everywhere since he came on the field.
01:16:05But he couldn't control his pass.
01:16:07Still though Japan have it.
01:16:09Now it's in to Ota.
01:16:11The loose head drop.
01:16:13Back for Harald.
01:16:15Into the three quarter line again.
01:16:18So the Irish defence is there in numbers this time.
01:16:21Horikoshi.
01:16:23Switching play cleverly.
01:16:25To Izo again.
01:16:26And here's Ota.
01:16:27He just loves to run it wherever he can find and read.
01:16:33That's Takura.
01:16:36To Latu.
01:16:38But it's all a little bit lacking pace at the moment.
01:16:42Mikoto.
01:16:44Now there's room for Harald.
01:16:46A switch.
01:16:50Still Japan have possession.
01:16:52Horikoshi.
01:16:55Back to Izo again.
01:16:57Latu.
01:16:58And linking up with Ota.
01:17:00Ota the quick pass.
01:17:01Has he been charged illegally?
01:17:03The referee says yes.
01:17:04Awards a penalty.
01:17:05He said that Hogan had obstructed coming in late.
01:17:09And has awarded the penalty to Japan.
01:17:13Japan will certainly run it.
01:17:15Yes, they need to move back quickly.
01:17:17The Irish forwards are so tired.
01:17:19There's another charge from Japan.
01:17:21They come through Kunda.
01:17:22Now it's the scrum half.
01:17:23Horikoshi just held up short of the line.
01:17:25And they've got over have they?
01:17:27It's a score has been awarded.
01:17:35And Japan have got the try.
01:17:43The try scorer is Takura the prop.
01:17:46He was lost under the pile of players.
01:17:48But it was all made by Horikoshi the scrum half.
01:17:52Who drove to within a meter of the line.
01:17:56And set up the try for his prop Takura.
01:18:06Davey Tweed meanwhile coming off.
01:18:18Yoshida has converted.
01:18:21And so Japan have closed the gap yet again.
01:18:2540 points to 28.
01:18:28We've got five minutes of play remaining.
01:18:31The gap surely too much for them to close.
01:18:33But they have never given up.
01:18:35And they've provided some spectacular entertainment.
01:18:37No, undoubtedly it was nothing less than they deserved.
01:18:39They've won a succession of loose balls.
01:18:41The Irish tackling really hasn't been sufficiently firm.
01:18:44They're scragging men down to the ground.
01:18:46But allowing the Japanese to get the ball away.
01:18:48And once they move it out their backs they look exceptionally dangerous.
01:18:54So taken by Tsukuraba.
01:18:58And there was obstruction there in front of the jumper.
01:19:02Again the crowd don't like it.
01:19:04But he was being protected.
01:19:06The Irishman couldn't get near him.
01:19:08That's Tsukuraba.
01:19:11Great opportunity for Paul Burke.
01:19:13And undoubtedly the Irish will try to kick this.
01:19:15It would open the gap to 15 points.
01:19:17And that would mean the Japanese would need more than two converted tries.
01:19:21It would be a great sort of gap for Ireland.
01:19:23And should settle their nerves now with only about five minutes or so of the match remaining.
01:19:28Well Paul Burke who's gained in maturity as the game has progressed.
01:19:37And has kicked quite beautifully in the latter stages.
01:19:42To attempt this penalty.
01:19:50Just the preparation that Ireland would want for this crucial game that they have.
01:19:56Against Wales.
01:19:57They must finish in control.
01:20:03Give themselves all the confidence.
01:20:10The crowd don't like it.
01:20:11But Ireland are quite happy.
01:20:13They must take what's on offer.
01:20:19And Burke hasn't been put off by it.
01:20:22That's a lovely kick by him.
01:20:24Straight between the posts.
01:20:25It's increased Ireland's lead to 43 points to 28.
01:20:30And so now they can relax slightly as they go into the final minutes.
01:20:37Knowing that Japan have really too much to do.
01:20:43Although they're certain to come again.
01:20:45They have not given up.
01:20:46Motoki restarts.
01:20:50Held there by Johns.
01:20:54Away comes Neil Francis.
01:20:56Has support from Foley.
01:21:00Johns again.
01:21:01Popplewell in there.
01:21:03Ireland just keen to keep it tight.
01:21:06Tie in the Japanese loose forwards.
01:21:10And away they come Ireland.
01:21:12This is a great run here by Wallace.
01:21:14Wallace looking support.
01:21:15Gets it from Foley.
01:21:16Foley brought down just short of the 22.
01:21:18Hogan carries it on over the 22.
01:21:20Up there too is Corkery.
01:21:22Corkery drives forward.
01:21:23The Irishmen are on fire now as Hogan goes over for the try.
01:21:32Oh lovely play by Ireland.
01:21:34Now that was control from both forwards and backs.
01:21:37And Hogan deservedly getting the try because he was involved from first to last.
01:21:47And here it was.
01:21:48Hogan it was who started it all.
01:21:52Finding the gap and deciding that he could go on his own.
01:21:56He had support there from Halvey but he was over for the try and that's what it meant to him.
01:22:01And to Ireland.
01:22:06So in his third international his first try.
01:22:15Meticulous preparation from Burke now.
01:22:17He knows it's safe for Ireland.
01:22:22That's a very fine strike rate.
01:22:26And his misses were early on.
01:22:28He's quite immaculate.
01:22:41If you're striking the ball well here the conditions certainly favour you.
01:22:46And he seems very confident.
01:22:49He's hit that beautifully.
01:22:51And he's got it.
01:22:53Lovely kicking from Paul Burke.
01:22:57And Ireland's lead now quite secure.
01:23:0050 points to 28.
01:23:02Unassailable now.
01:23:04And here it was.
01:23:05It was a mixture of forwards and backs.
01:23:07The forwards had driven and there was a huge gap.
01:23:10Wallace was outside Hogan but he didn't need him.
01:23:13From the kick off Japan in front of the ball.
01:23:16We're into the last couple of minutes now.
01:23:19And Japan looking very tired but they've given everything to the cause.
01:23:29So a scrummage down.
01:23:33Good solid Irish scrummaging.
01:23:35Plenty of protection and room for Hogan and plenty of time for Burke.
01:23:40To fine touch again.
01:23:42Another wrecking finder down there.
01:23:44And Matsuda could do nothing about it.
01:23:47And that's been Burke's favourite corner.
01:23:52He's worked Ireland up into that position many times.
01:23:55Wallace giving chase.
01:24:03That's Tsukuraba the lock forward.
01:24:06And a good bit of ball early on in the match.
01:24:11Ireland are winning it now.
01:24:12Halvey.
01:24:15To Field.
01:24:16Field taken down in the centre of the defence.
01:24:19But he's tied in a few Japanese.
01:24:21They're going to try and run it from here.
01:24:23They've got no option.
01:24:24Only as far as Paddy Johns though.
01:24:27Now they come again through Matsuda.
01:24:29Oh that's lovely tackling by Paul Wallace.
01:24:32He's got the ball.
01:24:33Oh that's lovely tackling by Paul Wallace.
01:24:35He gets around the field.
01:24:38Now away comes the Japanese through Oto again.
01:24:42Oh good tackle by Geoghegan.
01:24:44Picked up by Burke beautifully.
01:24:45Trying to find Geoghegan.
01:24:47And Geoghegan was so annoyed with himself.
01:24:49Just couldn't quite control that because if he had he was clear.
01:24:52Good work from Paul Burke.
01:25:04Cool line out called.
01:25:12But the referee not content with Ireland's play at the line out there.
01:25:18Coming again, closing the gap.
01:25:24So what are Japan going to do?
01:25:27What fiendish plot have they got up their sleeves this time now?
01:25:31Horikoshi.
01:25:32Five foot two but non-stop action.
01:25:37Well they're obviously going to run it.
01:25:40Good to try anything now.
01:25:41Horikoshi.
01:25:43Into Aizuo.
01:25:46Over the 22.
01:25:47Launching another attack through Latu.
01:25:49The flank forward.
01:25:53Now Bruce Ferguson.
01:25:54That's a terrible pass and Geoghegan might profit from it.
01:25:57There's a chance here for Geoghegan.
01:25:58But the ball just beat him into touch.
01:26:00And the final whistle blows.
01:26:02So Ireland have had their shaky moments in this match.
01:26:05But they've come through in grand fashion.
01:26:08Scoring five tries from play.
01:26:11And two penalty tries because of their incredibly strong strummage.
01:26:16Which really the Japanese had no answer to.
01:26:20But they themselves scored four thrilling tries.
01:26:22In contrast perhaps to some of the more prosaic Irish play.
01:26:26But it was the right play in the circumstances.
01:26:28Ireland then the comfortable winners of this match.
01:26:31And can go forward to the Welsh game with confidence winning by 50 points to 28.