England are actually by to the quarter-finals after Japan beat Samoa; Japan are actually in second place in Pool D after the 28-22 victory; Samoa’s Ben Lam was handed a crimson card within the second half for a harmful sort out
Final Up to date: 28/09/23 10:27pm
Japan improved their hopes of reaching the Rugby world Cup quarter-finals for a second time with their win over Samoa
England certified for the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup after Japan noticed off 14-man Samoa 28-22 in Toulouse to maintain alive their very own hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.
The Courageous Blossoms go on to face Argentina within the ultimate spherical of Pool D matches – and solely considered one of them will be a part of Steve Borthwick’s aspect, who’re confirmed as group winners forward of their conflict with Samoa as a result of their superior head-to-head report, within the knockout part.
Japan, who reached the final eight for the primary time 4 years in the past as hosts, opened the scoring within the thirteenth minute when Pieter Labuschagne stretched over within the nook and Rikiya Matsuda transformed.
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A penalty from D’Angelo Leuila obtained Samoa, with out captain Chris Vui by a late change, on the board, however Matsuda’s kick quickly restored Japan’s benefit.
Michael Leitch added one other strive within the nook earlier than Samoa’s Jonathan Taumateine was despatched to the sin bin after a shoulder barge within the build-up.
Michael Leitch was on the listing of strive scorers for Japan that helped Japan maintain off a fightback from Samoa
Japan hooker Shota Horie was then proven a yellow card for making head-on-head contact as he stood up in a problem with Seilala Lam, which went to the TMO for a bunker overview however was not upgraded.
Samoa – whose ultimate pool match with England is in Lille on October 7 – made essentially the most of their man benefit, Lam touching down following a driving maul to enter the break trailing 17-8.
Samoa quickly discovered themselves a person down when Ben Lam was despatched to the sin bin after the TMO noticed a excessive sort out into the aspect of Labuschagne’s head.
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Japan prolonged their lead as Kazuki Himeno was pushed over within the nook, however the normally dependable Matsuda didn’t convert.
Issues then obtained worse for Samoa when Lam’s card was upgraded to a crimson earlier than Matsuda once more discovered his vary to push Japan additional in entrance at 25-8.
Kotaro Matsushima sprinted clear for what Japan thought was a bonus-point strive, but it surely was dominated out for the slightest of knock-ons from Dylan Riley within the build-up.
Rikiya Matsuda transformed three of his aspect’s tries as they took one other step nearer to development
Samoa, although, saved themselves in contact as Duncan Paia’aua went over within the nook, which Leuila transformed from a decent angle just for fly-half Matsuda to push Japan clear once more with one other long-range penalty.
The 14 males battled on and pulled the deficit again once more when Christian Leali’ifano dived over after which transformed his personal strive, however Japan held out to arrange a possible winner-takes-all showdown with Argentina in Nantes.
What’s Subsequent?
Subsequent up for Samoa is a conflict with England on October 7 in Lille, with kick-off at 4.45pm BST.
For Japan, an enormous conflict with Argentina awaits on Sunday October 8 in Nantes, with kick-off at 12pm BST.