Player Ratings As Ireland Book Quarter-Final Spot With Bonus-Point Win Over Samoa

Job done.

Ireland will face either New Zealand or South Africa in the quarter-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup after they secured a bonus-point win over Samoa in their final pool match this morning.

The men in green put seven tries in total past Samoa in a 47-5 win that some they secure the bonus-point before half-time, despite being down to 14-men midway through the first-half with centre Bundee Aki seeing red.

A number of players impressed including Johnny Sexton and youngster Jordan Larmour but Ireland will know they still have to be much better than they were today if they’re to qualify for a first-ever World Cup semi-final.

Here are you Ireland Player Ratings.

15. Jordan Larmour – 8
Some lovely footwork and a great bit of play for Sexton’s try. Always looked a threat.

14. Keith Earls – 8
Another classic display. Does the dog work to make his teammates look good. Some of those dummy lines were just class.

13. Robbie Henshaw – 6
A few knock-ons and a bit of rust but you could see his class at times. Will be much better next week with some minutes now under his belt.

12. Bundee Aki – 5
Probably a deserved red card the more you look at it. Will be disappointed with himself.

11. Jacob Stockdale – 7
Looked lively when he got the ball but the problem was he just didn’t get enough of it with Ireland too reliant on ‘bash’ rugby.

10. Johnny Sexton – 9
Wrap him up in several layers of cotton wool and make sure he’s fit and ready for the quarter-final.

9. Conor Murray – 8
His pass for Larmour’s try was simply world-class. Still not quite at his very best but has found some form.

1. Cian Healy – 7
A good solid display from the loosehead. Didn’t tear any trees up but did his job well.

2. Rory Best (captain) – 7
Scored Ireland’s first try and put in a good shift overall.

3. Tadhg Furlong – 8
Showed some serious strength for his try and looked well up for it.

4. Iain Henderson – 6
Absolutely destroyed anytime he carried the ball.

5. James Ryan – 8
Incredible steal on one of Samoa’s lineouts and carried really well.

6. Tadhg Beirne – 7
No mistakes but struggled to really get into the game.

7. Josh van der Flier – 7
Tackling machine.

8. CJ Stander – 8
Once again put his body on the line to help his teammates, making those hard carries time and time again. But they won’t be able to rely on him come the quarter-finals. Needs his teammates to step up and take some of the workload off him.

Replacements – 7
Carbery looked lively and Conway got himself a nice try. The front-row switch was seamless once again and it was good to see McGrath try and inject a bit more pace.

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