Rookie fly half Jonathan Sexton announced his arrival in international rugby with a flawless performance in Ireland's comprehensive slaughter of a hapless Fijian outfit 41-6 here Saturday.

Playing at his home ground - the RDS - the 24-year-old kicked two penalties and five conversions, including three from the touchline, in a text-book example of outhalf play.

A ruck off a lineout near the Fiji 22 led to the first penalty which the Leinster debutant duly dispatched.

It was to be the first points of a confident display. The outhalf is expected to be the latest international star to roll off the Leinster production, and this display justified the hype.

He made good decisions throughout the game; executing the full range of kicks and passes and making several powerful breaks.

Days of torrential downpours left most of the country flooded and despite the heavy rain that fell in the opening quarter, both teams handled the ball well and the pitch held up.

But the conditions meant more of the game had to be played up front. Fiji were competitive in the loose but Ireland dominated their own set piece and disrupted their opponents - including the demolition of a Fijian five-metre attacking scrum.

Controlling possession and territory, Ireland added to Sexton's penalty after several minutes camped on the Fijian goal line. Eventually the Irish spread it and Keith Earls, who had come in from his left wing was able to cross under the posts with ease.

Fiji's first chance came midway through the first half when a Nicky Little penalty effort from half way which drifted just wide. But three minutes later he made amends from closer range.

More Irish pressure, including one of several searing breaks by Rob Kearney and Sexton, failed to lead to points but on the stroke of half time the latter added three points after a ruck offence in front of the posts.

Fiji started the second half with a rare foray into the Irish 22 which yielded a penalty chance that Little dispatched easily. The unfortunate Denis Leamy was stretchered off before the kick was taken giving Sean O'Brien his first test cap.

Ireland struck back immediately with an intercept try by Brian O'Driscoll.

As the rain eased off, the wind picked up giving both sets of backs difficulty on the high ball.

But the weak Fijian scrum led to Ireland's next try, Earls going over in the corner after a move off the back a scrum which Ireland opted for instead of taking an easy penalty inside the 22.

Another O'Driscoll intercept deep in the Fijian half set up Ireland's next score with full-back Kearney crossing the whitewash in the same place Earls had seven minutes earlier.

On both occasions Sexton converted from the touchline. A late try from Shane Horgan gave him the chance to try from the other touchline and again the kick was impeccable - like the rest of his performance.

Result of the Ireland v Fiji one-off Test match here on Saturday:

Ireland 41 Fiji 6

H-t: 13-3

Scorers

Ireland: Tries - Earls 2, O'Driscoll, Kearney, Horgan. Conversions - Sexton 5. Penalties - Sexton 2

Fiji: Penalties - Little 2

Teams (15-1)

Ireland: Rob Kearney; Shane Horgan, Brian O'Driscoll (capt), Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls; Jonathan Sexton, Eoin Reddan; Jamie Heaslip, Denis Leamy, Stephen Ferris; Paul O'Connell, Leo Cullen; John Hayes, Jerry Flannery, Tom Court

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Tony Buckley, Donncha O'Callaghan, Sean O'Brien, Tomas O'Leary, Paddy Wallace, Andrew Trimble

Fiji: Norman Ligairi; Vereniki Goneva, Gabiriele Lovobalavu, Seremaia Bai (capt), Nasoni Roko; Nicky Little, Mosese Rauluni; Asaeli Boko, Akapusi Qera, Apolosi Satala; Ifereimi Rawaqa, Wame Lewaravu; Viliame Seuseu, Viliame Veikoso, Asaike Tarogi

Replacements: Isireli Ledua, Graham Dewes, Leone Nakarawa, Samu Bola, Waisale Vatuvoka, Josh Matavesi, Timoci Nagusa

Referee: Marius Jonker (RSA)

AFP

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