Wales vs Portugal LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction as Morgan and Lake score tries
Wales 28-8 Portugal: Warren Gatland’s side secured a bonus point win in a tight contest against Portugal
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Wales continued their winning streak at the Rugby World Cup with by triumphing over Portugal in a testing encounter at the Stade de Nice.
Louis Rees Zammit gave Warren Gatland’s much changed side the early lead going over inside the first 10 minutes before Portugal responded with a penalty kick to get some points on the board.
The first half proved to be a tight affair as Portugal showed off flair and stamina in defence but Dewi Lake’s try just before the break released the shackles on the Welsh. Jac Morgan scored to secure the points before Portugal went over with a wonderfully worked try from a lineout.
As time died away Wales targeted a bonus point try that came from Taulupe Faletau in the final action of the match.
Relive all the action from the Stade de Nice below.
Johnny Sexton breaks Ireland points record during impressive victory over Tonga
Johnny Sexton smashed Ireland’s individual points record as his side edged closer to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a crushing 59-16 bonus-point victory over Tonga in Nantes.
The influential fly-half surpassed Ronan O’Gara’s all-time tally of 1,083 in style with the fourth of his side’s eight tries on a balmy evening at Stade de la Beaujoire.
Captain Sexton also kicked a penalty and four conversions en route to moving on to a career total of 1,090 before being withdrawn from a bruising Pool B encounter at half-time ahead of next week’s crucial clash with South Africa.
Johnny Sexton breaks Ireland points record during impressive victory over Tonga
The influential fly-half surpassed Ronan O’Gara’s all-time tally of 1,083 in style with the fourth of his side’s eight tries at Stade de la Beaujoire.
FT Ireland 59-16 Tonga
Ireland captain Johnny Sexton, speaking to ITV:
“We’re delighted to get five points against a very good team. That’s what tonight was about and that was the main objective. We did it, we’ll move on and we’ll concentrate now on a massive game next week. Playing against the world champions is going to be really special.
On becoming Ireland’s record try scorer: “I don’t think it is about individual achievements this evening. It is about getting the next win and keep building in this tournament. It’s week-on-week in a World Cup and you have got to produce it week after week.
“It’s always nice [to score a try], I don’t get it too often. It’s a lovely personal milestone but I’d much rather a victory.”
FT Ireland 59-16 Tonga
Ireland centre, Bundee Aki speaking to RTE: “Full credit to the boys and full respect to Tonga. They came out firing and we knew it was going to be a physical match. Much respect to them, hopefully they go out over the next couple of weeks and leave everything out there.
“I think there are a lot of things we can work on. We weren’t as clinical as we wanted to be. There were a lot of dumb penalties, you could say. I know we got the points that we wanted but we’ll go away and we’re still not happy with how we performed.
“Next week is going to be an even bigger test for us but we will go out there and give it our best.”
FT Ireland 59-16 Tonga
Andy Farrell will know there are bigger challenges to come but he must be thrilled with how clinical and professional his side have been in their opening games.
Two games played, two wins secured, twice scored over 50 points in a game. Ireland look like one of the better teams in this World Cup.
Full-time! Ireland 59-16 Tonga
Ireland have put on another fantastic performance in the Rugby World Cup to sweep Tonga aside with relative ease.
They were frustrated by the Pacific Islanders in the early stages of the first half but continued to go through the gears and came out on top with the added plus of a bonus point.
Andy Farrell’s men top Pool B.
TRY! Ireland 59-16 Tonga, (Rob Herring, 80 minutes)
Rob Herring puts the icing on the cake for Ireland with a forceful drive from a lineout. He scores after having a try chalked off earlier in the match.
Ross Byrne sticks the conversion in between the uprights and ends the game.
Ireland 52-16 Tonga, 76 minutes
Tonga are still pushing forward but Ireland’s steadfast defence is a daunting thing to run into. Pita Ahki floats a poor kick over the top as sees Hugo Keenan collect it in play for Ireland.
His return kick is a belter and William Havili is forced out of meaning leaving Ireland with fine territory near the Tongan try line.
Ireland 52-16 Tonga, 72 minutes
Into the last 10 minutes now and the game is done. Ireland are moving to the top of Pool B with two matches in a row where they’ve scored over 50 points.
They’ve got more difficult tests ahead in South Africa and Scotland but they couldn’t be in better form ahead of these clashes.
TRY! Ireland 52-16 Tonga, (Bundee Aki, 69 minutes)
Ireland are piling on the points as Tonga’s energy levels begin to dip and drop. A few powerful drives from close range, get the Tonga line to contract allowing Josh van der Flier to link up with Craig Casey.
Casey takes a hit abd passes the ball to Bundee Aki who bombs under the stick for his second try.
TRY! Ireland 45-16 Tonga, (Bundee Aki, 63 minutes)
A strong Irish scrum brings them another penalty that Ross Byrne decides to kick for territory. From the lineout the ball is released out of the maul to James Lowe who passes it over to Byrne.
He holds it long enough to draw a tackle then flicks it to Bundee Aki. Aki has space to storm into and does so with ease before crossing the line.
Another seven points for Ireland.
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