Fukuoka (Japan) (AFP)

Mission accomplished. Ireland, led by Jonathan Sexton found, secured his place in the quarterfinals by crushing Samoa (47-5) Saturday in Fukuoka.

The Irish have even temporarily taken the lead in Pool A with seven tries scored, including two for Sexton alone (21st, 39th). And this, despite the red card of the center Bundee Aki (29th) for a dangerous veneer that should deprive him of the following of the World Cup. But, to know if they will face New Zealand or South Africa in the next round, they will have to wait a little longer.

The last place in the quarter will be played between Japan and Scotland ... if the match takes place, the typhoon Hagibis having questioned the holding of the meeting of Sunday, in Yokohama.

Far from this uncertainty, the XV of Trefoil did the work with application. Better, he recovered Jonathan Sexton, his metronome, who had played very little since the start of the World Cup. And even since the beginning of the season.

Best player in the world in 2018, the opener comes out of a season 2019 tarnished by recurrent injuries, including adductors. The Samoans, too rough, too undisciplined, let Sexton recite his score and sign two tries and eighteen points in total.

Fifty-eight minutes against Scotland, none against Japan and only forty against Russia ... The Leinster player remained, this time, only 51 minutes on the field but he had already folded the case by his long kicks and his game intelligence.

He signed the offensive bonus test, ten minutes after Aki's exclusion for a dangerous tackle on Ulupano Seuteni's face, even though the Pacific players seemed to be on their side. numerical superiority.

-Game found-

Because Sexton seems to have become the conductor that was missing in Ireland. Even in less than an hour. The time for him to help his teammates recite their scales, investing the balloon opponent camp in hand. Before leaving the scene, presumably to relieve his adductors and keep a little cool for the quarters.

But Ireland, author of a total of seven tries, mostly found his rugby, made long sequences, and realism, after having stammered against Japan (19-12 defeat). Even the half-time win against Russia (35-0) did not really reassure.

This time, the game without Sexton did not really fade. He certainly does not have the same "aura" but Joey Carbery, his replacement, played the role well for 30 minutes and the Irish have even scored two more tests once their N10 holder left. And what about the delivery of the rear Jordan Larmour, 22 years old? He made out the usual incumbent Rob Kearney and seriously postulates for the quarter-finals.

Ireland and Sexton are there. All Blacks or Springboks? The next opponent of the XV Clover is warned.

© 2019 AFP