Ireland's Jonathan Sexton scores during his side's 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B win over Tonga. Photo: Inpho / www.photosport.nz
Johnny Sexton set a new points record for his country as an efficient Ireland dominated Tonga to secure a 59-16 bonus-point victory on Saturday and consolidate top spot in World Cup Pool B.
Ireland scored four first-half tries at the Stade de la Beaujoire and four after the break to see off the Pacific islanders, who were playing their first game of the tournament in France but, despite the inclusion of several former All Blacks in their lineup, proved no match for the top-ranked team.
The 38-year-old Sexton only played the first half but scored a try, a penalty and four conversions for a 16-point tally that took him to 1090, going past Ronan O'Gara's record of 1083.
Ireland's first three tries came from Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris and Mack Hansen before an obviously delighted Sexton went past the record by dotting down between the posts to open up a 31-13 lead at the break.
Bundee Aki scored twice in the second half and James Lowe and Rob Herring also crossed to extend Ireland's lead.
Tonga scored their try on the stroke of halftime through Vaea Fifita and flyhalf William Havili, whose elder brother is in the New Zealand squad, did not miss any of his kicks to notch up 11 points.
Elssewhere, coach Warren Gatland was given a scare but was relieved to get an early birthday present after Wales scored a late try to earn a bonus-point 28-8 World Cup victory over Portugal on Saturday.
Taulupe Faletau of Wales on the charge against Portugal. Photo: Photosport
It was a far from vintage display against ambitious opponents keen to run the ball at every opportunity, but Wales have a maximum haul of 10 points from their opening two games in Pool C.
"There were aspects we weren't happy with. We tried to play too much rugby."
Portugal are known as a side who run the ball with several players with rugby Sevens experience, but they also managed to match Wales physically.
Wales were forced into a very late change when flanker Tommy Reffell suffered a calf injury, but his replacement Jac Morgan put in a man of the match display.
Meanwhile, Samoa coach Seilala Mapusua said an arm-wrestle with Chile was the perfect way for the Pacific islanders to finally get their World Cup campaign underway.
Four tries in 12 minutes around the break drove the Samoans to a 43-10 bonus-point victory, but the Chileans were more than competitive for much of the opening half and in the final quarter.
Duncan Paia Aua celebrates during Samoa's Rugby World Cup opener against Chile. Photo: Photosport
"A lot to take from that game and we'll be reviewing it. Full credit to Chile they really took it to us today and put us under pressure and that's exactly what we needed."
Samoa play Argentina in Saint Etienne next weekend in their second match in Pool D, which also includes former champions England and 2019 quarter-finalists Japan.
-Reuters