| Japan: (17) 28 |
| Tries: Labuschagne, Leitch, Himeno; Pens: Matsuda 3; Cons: Matsuda 2 |
| Samoa: (8) 22 |
| Tries: Lam, Paia’aua, Leali’ifano; Pens: Leuila; Cons: Leali’ifano 2 |
England reached the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup due to a Japan win over Samoa which boosted the Courageous Blossoms’ personal knockout possibilities.
Japan noticed off the Pacific Islanders with tries from Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch and Kazuki Himeno, together with sturdy kicking by Rikiya Matsuda.
Samoa, who had winger Ben Lam despatched off, rallied late on however should now beat England for an opportunity of progressing.
However this consequence means England can’t be overtaken on the high of Pool D.
Samoa can not match their present whole of 14 factors, whereas Steve Borthwick’s males have a superior head-to-head document over Japan and Argentina.
It removes the strain from England’s remaining pool recreation, in opposition to the Samoans on 7 October, and means Borthwick may relaxation gamers for that recreation earlier than a possible quarter-final in opposition to Fiji.
Japan survive Samoa fightback
Each nations went into this recreation in Toulouse with a practical probability of qualifying from Pool D – however provided that they gained.
Japan, in search of a second successive last-eight place, began the stronger and scored from their first main assault on 13 minutes.
Lomano Lemeki drove into house, bouncing off two Samoan defenders earlier than being held up 5 metres out. The ball got here to Labuschagne who bundled over.
Following an alternate of penalties, Japan appeared to take management of the match as they scored their second try to Samoa had a person sin-binned inside a matter of seconds.
Jonathan Taumateine was yellow-carded for a deal with off the ball within the build-up to Leitch extending Japan’s lead, as they shifted the ball out to the left once more and had been too fast for Samoa.
This sprang Samoa – who haven’t reached the knockout stage in 28 years – into life.
After the sport was made 14-men apiece when Japan hooker Shota Horie was sin-binned, Samoa’s personal quantity two Seilala Lam touched down following an enormous maul.
However the Pacific Islanders had been their very own worst enemies. Within the opening minutes of the second interval, Ben Lam was given a yellow card for an upright deal with and nasty conflict of heads – which was later upgraded – earlier than Kazuki Himeno scored following a Japan maul.
Samoa gave themselves hope and a shedding bonus level via Duncan Paia’aua and Christian Leali’ifano tries, however Japan held out by way of Matsuda’s dependable boot.
Japan, who’re aiming to repeat their efficiency as hosts 4 years in the past after they reached the knockouts, face what appears more likely to be a winner-takes-all assembly with Argentina on 8 October.
Line-ups
Japan: Lemeki; Matsushima, Riley, Nakamura, Naikabula; Matsuda, Saito; Inagaki, Horie, Gu, Cornelsen, Fakatava, Leitch, Labuschagne, Himeno.
Replacements: Sakate, Millar, Ai Valu, Dearns, Shimokawa, Fukuda, Lee, Osada.
Samoa: Paia’aua; Fidow, Manu, Leuila, Ben Lam; Leali’ifano, Taumateine; James Lay, Seilala Lam, Alo-Emile, Luatua, McFarland, Seu, Lee, Taufua.
Replacements: Malolo, Jordan Lay, Alaalatoa, Alainuuese, Motuga, Matavao, Fomai, Toala.
Match officers
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Contact judges: Ben O’Keeffe, Craig Evans
TMO: Marius Jonker
