It was expected that Tonga would provide a fairly stern test in Ireland's second Rugby World Cup fixture, but you can't help but come away impressed with what Andy Farrell's side produced tonight.
It was attritional start to the game, with Tonga limiting the scoring opportunities they offered to Ireland. There was very little between the sides in the opening 20 minutes or so, although Ireland would take control of the game after the opening try.
It came via Tadhg Beirne, who finished off a well worked team move to put his side into the lead.
Brilliant stuff from Doris and Beirne here 🔥 #IREvTNG pic.twitter.com/bAhAtX5Vp0
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 16, 2023
The highlight of the first came from Mack Hansen, who scored one of the tries of the tournament.
Take a bow Mack Hansen! The Ireland winger with one of the finishes of the tournament so far 🔥 #IREvTNG pic.twitter.com/ie6qx9aWGk
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) September 16, 2023
While Tonga would get a try of their own just before the interval, although Ireland remained in a dominant position.
In saying that, the Pacific islanders certainly did not wilt in the second half. They initially did not allow the Irish to easily extend their lead, but the supreme quality in Andy Farrell's side would tell in the end.
They ran in a number of tries in the closing stages, eventually emerging as 59-16 winners.
Brian O'Driscoll sends Ireland timely warning after Tonga win
Even though they have played lesser opposition, Ireland have been massively impressive in their opening two Rugby World Cup games. Things could have hardly have gone better over the course of the last 160 minutes or so on the pitch, with the team running in 141 points.
Of course, bigger tests lay ahead, starting with the showdown with South Africa next week. That was be a very different type of ask, coming up against one of the true contenders to life the Webb Ellis Cup in Paris next month.
Speaking on ITV, Brian O'Driscoll was keen to remind the Ireland teams and fans of the challenges that were still to come.
They can't run away with themselves. They won't fall in love with what they've done so far.
It's impressive, they've put teams to the sword and scored a lot of points, but they've conceded very few points as well, just a try each per game.
That's all important. If you look at the history of this competition, a huge amount is about how few points and tries you concede.
So far they're doing well, but it's a much different and sterner test next week. It's a totally different type of game, it's going to be an 80-minute game. These games have been done in 60 minutes and scorelines have been able to flatter them a small bit.
Next week against South Africa, they won't throw the towel in after an hour that's for sure...
It would have been a big shock with this current Ireland team if they hadn't managed to get at least four points in both games and probably five, which they've managed to do.
But now the real tough stuff starts in earnest. As Johnny said, against the world champions you find out a lot about yourself. The depth of your squad might come into play a little bit because it's going to be a physical and bruising encounter.
The reward after that is a game against a Scotland team that have absolutely nothing to lose. It's exciting times.
This is where this team has wanted to be. They've managed to win a grand slam, managed to win series in Australia and New Zealand, but this is a slow and momentum building tournament for them. They have a double tick beside two victories so far.
They won't get carried away with themselves, but I'm sure they're very happy with what they've delivered so far.
Well said.
Andy Farrell and his Ireland players will know that the World Cup campaign really ramps up from this point onwards, with two huge pool games against South Africa and Scotland to come. The game against the Springboks, in particular, will give a real indication as to where the team stands in relation to the other contenders in the tournament.
They won't get carried away, but they will no doubt be confident that they can get the job done against the South Africans next weekend.
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