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:
63 min: Japan 26-12 Samoa
Still Samoa come! They're throwing the kitchen sink at the Japanese. Plates, knives, bowls, the whole lot. But the Brave Blossoms aren't giving an inch. Off a dangerous line-out on Japan's 22, Steve Jackson's men send it right but once again, with his face and hands in the dirt, is Michael Leitch to steal play. What a player. What a night it's been for him.
65 min: Japan 26-12 Samoa
Another morale-boosting moment for Japan as Ed Fidow is knocked into touch by the Japanese defence. The hosts with a line-out five metres or so out from their 22.
It's clean, and away they go, taking play up to the half-way line to ease the pressure once again.
65 min: Japan 26-12 Samoa
Michael Leitch has been subbed off by the way. He's run the tank dry. Another hugely influential shift from the 30-year-old.
67 min: Japan 26-12 Samoa
Break! And it's James Moore who finds himself beyond the game line, bearing down on his opponent's 22. He's tackled but presents play for his supporting men to recycle.
Samoa dig in, though, and snatch back possession before clearing their lines. We go all the way back for a Japanese line-out in their own half.
69 min: Japan 26-12 Samoa
A tidal wave of blue shirts sweeps the Japanese back, with Ed Fidow leading the charge down the left flank. He gets the inside offload away but, with the hosts just about able to form their lines, Samoa are stopped five metres out. Play is recycled before the penalty is drawn. All of a sudden it's the Pacific Islanders who are back on top and knocking on the door.
71 min: Japan 26-12 Samoa
Up the line-out goes, with Samoa safely collecting down in the left corner. Japan look rumbled as another penalty is conceded. With advantage to play, Tusi Pisi sends the crossfield kick towards the right but Kotaro Matshushima calmly collects. We go back for another Samoan throw.
74 min: Japan 26-19 Samoa (Taefu try, Taefu conversion)
Despite their best efforts, even Japan were unable to hold off the unrelenting pressure of the Samoans. Off their second throw-in attempt, the forwards crabbed sideways along the Japanese line, stealing inches at they went before play was popped up to Henry Taefu to muscle his way through a hole in the wall. The centre converts too.
76 min: Japan 31-19 (Fukuoka try)
End-to-end stuff as Kenki Fukuoka caps off a fine team effort to all but wrap up the victory.
Having secured the turnover off their own restart, Japan pushed their opponents back while simultaenously pulling them left. It created space out wide on the right and there, receiving play off a quick flash of hands among the backs, was the susbtitute to swerve around the scrambling Samoans and dive over.
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