NANTES (AFP) – Johnny Sexton became Ireland’s record points scorer as he notched 16 in their 59-16 romp over Tonga in the Rugby World Cup Pool B match yesterday.
The 38-year-old moved to 1,090, seven more than previous holder Ronan O’Gara, setting it in style with a try he converted in the first half before sitting out the second half as defending champions South Africa loom next Sunday.
The Irish scored eight tries, man of the match Bundee Aki scoring a second successive brace in front of 15,000 raucous Irish fans in Nantes.
Sexton said the record was “a lovely personal milestone” but insisted it was the progress of his team that was uppermost in his mind before they face the Springboks.
“I don’t think it’s about individual achievements, it’s about getting the next win and keep building in this tournament,” he told ITV.
“It’s week-on-week in a World Cup. We’re concentrating on a massive game next week.”
Sexton opted to go for goal early on when Tonga infringed and he slotted it over after taking so long to do so that the Tongans raised their arms to suggest he had gone beyond the time limit.
However, Wayne Barnes resisted their overtures and the score stood.
The Tongans’ natural ball-handling skills were nullified by their lack of discipline and poor lineouts.
However, Ireland too were getting on the wrong side of Barnes and William Havili levelled the match with a penalty just inside the Irish half.
The Irish had a try ruled out shortly afterwards but they finally had one in the 20th minute.
Caelan Doris broke through the Tongan defence and offloaded to Tadhg Beirne whose momentum carried him to the line. Sexton converted for 10-3.
Havili reduced the deficit with another long-range penalty but then Doris had his day as he was bundled over the tryline and Sexton added the extras.
Ireland’s third try came soon afterwards and was a thing of beauty.
The backs getting in on the act helped find Mack Hansen who still had work to do.
The Australia-born wing cut inside fullback Charles Piutau and left the Tongans in his wake as he went over to touch down.
Sexton converted to move level with O’Gara’s record.
It was the Sexton show next up as Garry Ringrose found space and set up his captain who touched down under the posts.
