Japan vs Samoa, Rugby World Cup 2019: Result and reaction
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Your support makes all the difference.Kotaro Matsushima scored a bonus-point try deep into injury time as Japan moved to the brink of their first Rugby World Cup quarter-final with a 38-19 Pool A victory over Samoa.
The hosts, who turned the tournament upside down when they beat Ireland last week, moved to the top of the pool with 14 points and also secured their third victory in the pool phase for the second successive World Cup.
The loss ended the Pacific Islanders’ chances of their first place in the knockout phase since 1995, although the grouping is not likely to be decided until Japan play Scotland in Yokohama in the last game of the pool phase on 13 October. Re-live action below:
24 min: Japan 9-6 Samoa (Tamura penalty)
Yep, he makes it. Japan's lead is restored. But how much longer is this staring match going to go on for before someone blinks?
26 min: Japan 9-6 Samoa
We go to TMO for the first time of the match. TJ Ioane is the man under the microscope. He went in with a late challenge on Kotaro Matsushima, making no attempt to wrap his arms. It wasn't particularly high but reckless nonetheless...
26 min: Japan 9-6 Samoa
Referee Jaco Peyper has seen enough. He's not a fan. He brandishes the yellow card. TJ Ioane is off to the bin.
28 min: Japan 9-6 Samoa
Tim Nanai-Williams tries to sell his opponents a dummy from inside his own half, having spotted the smallest of gaps in the Japanese defence. He makes a quick break for the hole but it's shut down immediately. He's getting nowhere.
29 min: Japan 16-6 Samoa (Lafaele try, Tamura conversion)
A stunning try that showcased Japan at their best. It had everything you could want. A sneaky turnover from Michael Leitch. More penetrative pace from Lomano Lemeki. Thunderous, heaving physicality from the forwards to maintain Japan's momentum as they edged the ball towards the Samoan white line. And a quick, clean passage of handling among the backs, ending in Timothy Lafaele crashing over down on the left. Seamless transition from defence to attack. Just brilliant.
33 min: Japan 16-6 Samoa
Michael Leitch shows some acrobats to catch a high ball but immediately the referee's whistle goes up after it becomes apparent that Tim Nanai-Williams is done on the turf with a head injury.
The 15 was caught late by James Moore as he kicked clear... we're going to a TMO here...
34 min: Japan 16-6 Samoa
The referee settles upon a penalty. A strange decision that. James Moore had jumped to make the charge down and by the time he landed, having failed to make connection with the ball, his momentum ended up carrying him into the 15. There wasn't much he could there to avoid the impact - and it's not like he caught the Samoan dangerously.
Nevertheless, a penalty kick it is.
34 min: Japan 16-9 Samoa (Taefu penalty)
He drives it straight down the centre of the posts. That's three from three. Samoa back within a converted try's score of their opponents.
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