Ireland initially struggled against the physical defence of Tonga, however, following the initial twenty minutes of play in the first half Ireland scored at regular intervals to secure an impressive eight-try, 59-16 bonuspoint win.
Ireland captain, Johnny Sexton converted an early penalty to open Ireland's account on the scoreboard to which Samoa's William Havili replied with a conversion of his own to level the scores after sixteen minutes of play in the first half.
Ireland upped the pace and Tadhg Beirne ran a good fifteen meters, bursting through several tackles to score Ireland's first try to extend their lead to 10-03. Three minutes later William Havili converted his second penalty to make the points difference just four points after twenty-two minutes of play in the first half.
Five minutes later, Caelan Doris' was Ireland's reply when he scored from the back of a 5m lineout-maul. Ireland's winger, Mack Hansen stepped past several defenders to score a brilliant individual try to extend Ireland's lead to 24-06 with six minutes still to play in the first half.
Ireland continued their pressure play and Johnny Sexton took a brilliant inside pass to score Ireland's fourth and bonus point try, Sexton becoming the Irish player who scored the most points for Ireland. Ireland led 31-06.
A yellow card shown to Peter O'Mahony gave Vaea Fifita the opportunity to break from the back of a dominant scrum to score Samoa's first try of the match. Although Samoa came back strong in the last ten minutes of play in the first half, Ireland was still in control of this physical battle and led 31-13 going into the second half.
William Havili converted his third penalty for Tonga after three minutes of play in the second half. Despite Ireland's dominance in the second half, they could not add any points to the scoreboard until James Lowe scored Ireland's fifth try after twenty minutes of play.
Bundee Aki ran a brilliant line to cut through the defence of Tonga to score Ireland's sixth try to extend their lead to 45-16 and at that stage in complete control of the match. Aki followed his first try up with a second try minutes later.
Ireland's Rob Herring controlled an overthrow by Tonga to score Ireland's eighth try to win 59-16.
Scorers:
Ireland: Tries: Tadhg Beirne, Caelan Doris, Mack Hansen, Johnny Sexton, James Lowe, Bundee Aki (2), Rob Herring. Conversions: Johnny Sexton (4), Ross Byrne (4). Penalty: Johnny Sexton.
Tonga: Try: Vaea Fifita. Conversion: William Havili. Penalties: William Havili (3).
Teams:
Ireland: 1 Andrew Porter, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 5 James Ryan, 6 Peter O'Mahony, 7 Josh van der Flier, 8 Caelan Doris, 9 Conor Murray, 10 Johnny Sexton (c), 11 James Lowe, 12 Bundee Aki, 13 Garry Ringrose, 14 Mack Hansen, 15 Hugo Keenan. Replacements: 16 Rob Herring, 17 Dave Kilcoyne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Craig Casey, 22 Ross Byrne, 23 Robbie Henshaw.
Tonga: 1 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi, 2 Paula Ngauamo, 3 Ben Tameifuna (c), 4 Sam Lousi, 5 Halaleva Fifita, 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 7 Sione Talitui, 8 Vaea Fifita, 9 Augustine Pulu, 10 William Havili, 11 Solomone Kata, 12 Pita Ahki, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 14 Afusipa Taumoepeau, 15 Salesi Piutau. Replacements: 16 Sam Moli, 17 Tau Koloamatangi, 18 Sosefo Apikotoa, 19 Semisi Paea, 20 Solomone Funaki, 21 Sione Vailanu, 22 Sonatane Takul, 23 Fine Inisi.
