Fired up hosts Japan will reprise their 2015 Rugby World Cup heroics after they upset Ireland 19-12 in a thrilling pool clash in Shizuoka.
IT'S OVER 😮
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 28, 2019
JAPAN HAVE DONE IT 😮👏
They say lightning doesn't strike twice...But it just did ⚡️⚡️#RWC2019 #JPNvIRE #RWCShizuoka pic.twitter.com/ZdaQN6ULiL
Japan trailed 12-3 after 21 minutes, before Yu Tamura slotted a couple of penalty goals to pull them to 12-9 at halftime.
They enjoyed a wealth of possession inside Ireland's half in the first 20 minutes of the second half, but struggled to convert it into points as Tamura pulled a 40m penalty goal attempt wide-left, his second miss of the game.
However, with a vocal and passionate home crowd sniffing a boil over, the 10th ranked side in the world hit the front when replacement Kenki Fukuoaka dived over out wide.
"We knew how tough it was going to be..."@IrishRugby captain Rory Best praises Japan after their incredible win over Ireland at #RWC2019#JPNvIRE pic.twitter.com/Tcyj7YL191
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 28, 2019
Tamura's successful conversion made it 16-12 with a quarter of the match to run, before he extended their lead with a 72nd minute penalty.
#RWC2019 #JPNvIRE #RWCShizuoka pic.twitter.com/Stydlqh8Z2
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 28, 2019
Fukuoaka almost iced the game with a 60m intercept try in the waning minutes, but was dragged down a few metres short by a desperate Keith Earls' tackle.
Ireland had one last chance to steal the match after Japan spilled the ball attempting to close the game out, but Irishman Joey Carbery inexplicably kicked the ball out.
UNBELIEVABLE!
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 28, 2019
On home turf, Japan have achieved an incredible win over Ireland! Shizuoka is rocking!
FT: Japan 19-12 Ireland #RWC2019 #JPNvIRE pic.twitter.com/ng798ka6gp
Japan had upset South Africa 32-34 in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Japan stunned two-time champions South Africa to cause arguably the biggest upset in rugby union history.
Japan has not won a World Cup game since 1991, while South Africa were world champions in both 1995 and 2007
That man Timothy Lafaele is at it again. Another epic offload from Japan's outside centre.#JPNvIRE #RWC2019
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 28, 2019
Find out where you can watch at https://t.co/z0BgdPH0sf pic.twitter.com/SYCOLBp3WY
[Source:Stuff.co]
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