RUGBY
Tracy’s first ever Irish stare ends in convincing win
By Daire Walsh
SATURDAY in the Ajinomoto Stadium proved to be an occasion to remember for Kill native James Tracy, who made his first-ever start at senior level for Ireland in their final game of the Summer Tour to the USA and Japan.
Tracy’s three previous appearances under Joe Schmidt had been from the replacements bench, but following productive cameos in the victories over the US Eagles and Japan, Tracy was chosen ahead of Niall Scannell for their second consecutive encounter with the Oriental side.
He was joined in the front-row by provincial team-mate Cian Healy and Munster’s John Ryan, and having finished with all of 28 points to spare in Shizuoka seven days earlier, the visitors were aiming for another comprehensive triumph in their eighth Test of 2017.
They certainly enjoyed a whirlwind start to the proceedings, as centre Garry Ringrose broke over for a second-minute intercept try. Paddy Jackson was on hand to supply the bonuses to this score, and the Ulster man also added conversions in the aftermath of Josh van der Flier and Kieran Marmion five-pointers.
Japan eventually responded with a fine touchdown from Kotaro Matsushima, but thanks to a fourth try from tour captain Rhys Ruddock, Ireland brought a commanding 28-8 lead into the interval. Japan’s scoresheet had been embellished by a successful Jumpei Ogura penalty, and with the Ireland bench being fully utilised during the second-half (recent Ulster recruit John Cooney made his international debut), their defence wasn’t under the same level of scrutiny.
Akihito Yamada’s 61st minute try reduced their deficit to 15 points, but courtesy of a a later converted effort by Sean Reidy, Ireland ultimately claimed a 35-13 victory.
Meanwhile, there was disappointment for the strong Green Army contingent in the British & Irish Lions squad at Eden Park on Saturday, when they suffered a 15-30 reversal at the hands of New Zealand in their first game of a three-test series.
A total of 11 Irish players are part of the overall touring squad, and while Robbie Henshaw, CJ Stander, Jared Payne, Iain Henderson and Rory Best were all unfortunate to miss out on the matchday ’23’, a number of Schmidt’s regular side managed to make the grade.
Conor Murray was chosen alongside Owen Farrell in the vital half-back sector, and there were also starting places for Tadhg Furlong and Sean O’Brien. The Leinster duo Jack McGrath and Jonathan Sexton featured amongst the replacements, but it was a particularly special day for Peter O’Mahony, who was named captain for this mouth-watering affair.
The Lions certainly enjoyed good spells of rugby throughout the course of the action, and O’Brien’s 35th-minute try was arguably the highlight of the opening period. Rhys Webb also registered a try on the stroke of full-time, but with tries from Cody Taylor and Rieko Ioane (two) being supplemented by 15 points from the boot of Beauden Barrett, the All Blacks hold the aces heading into the second test at Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday.