Japan v Samoa LIVE: Rugby World Cup 2023 result and reaction after Ben Lam red card in Samoa defeat
Japan 28-22 Samoa: Japan held off 14-man Samoa to set up a shootout against Argentina for a quarter-final place
Japan boosted their chances of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the second successive time as they beat an ill-disciplined Samoa 28-22 in Toulouse, a result which sent England through to the last eight.
Tries by Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch, Kazuki Himeno and 13 points from the boot of Rikiya Matsuda gave Japan a comprehensive victory as they leapfrogged their opponents into second place in Pool D with nine points.
Samoa, who had Ben Lam red-carded early in the second half and answered with tries by Seilala Lam, Duncan Paia’aua and Christian Leali’ifano as well as points from the tee by Alai D’Angelo Leuila and Leali’ifano, are third on six points.
With 14 points, England will finish top of the pool. Fourth-placed Argentina are expected to add to their four points when they meet Chile on Saturday before a potential second-place decider against Japan in the last round of group games.
Relive the match below, get all the Rugby World Cup odds here and the latest tips and free bets on the World Cup here.
Japan 25 - 15 Samoa
73 mins: Japan have the penalty as Samoa are penalised for being off their feet. Matsuda to kick.
Japan 25 - 15 Samoa
70 mins: Samoa do well to defend a messy maul to deny Japan the score and have the scrum. They’re playing well despite being down a player.
Japan 25 - 15 Samoa
69 mins: Samoa give a penalty away for not rolling away, Japan to the corner for the lineout.
Japan 25 - 15
67 mins: Japan with the scrum now as McFarland knocks the ball on.
TRY! Japan 25 - 15 Samoa
64 mins: Duncan Paia'aua scores as Theo McFarland gives him the ball from the ruck and the fullback scores past Matsushima! McFarland great in the build-up as he gives an offload to Leali’ifano before staying in the game to deliver the ball to Paia’aua.
Christian Leali’ifano with the conversion.
Japan 25 - 8 Samoa
62 mins: Matsushima gets more of an opportunity to stretch his legs and speeds away to score, but the ball is knocked on (only just) by Riley in the build-up as both him and Michael Alaalatoa scramble to get the ball on the floor so the bonus-point score isn’t given.
Samoa with the scrum now.
Ben Lam red card: Why was Samoa star sent off against Japan at Rugby World Cup?
Ben Lam became the latest player to see a yellow card upgraded to a red following a review from the TMO bunker during the Japan vs Samoa match at the Rugby World Cup.
In the second half of the Pool D contest, Samoan winger Lam’s shoulder connected with the head of Japan back row Lappies Labuschagne while making a tackle, who went off for a HIA.
Referee Jaco Peyper initially sent the flyer to the sin-bin but, using the bunker system, that was upgraded to a red card soon after, with the foul play review officer ruling that it was a shoulder direct to head with significant force and not enough mitigation to remain a yellow card.
Ben Lam red card: Why was Tonga star sent off against Scotland?
Head collisions and player safety continues to dominate the headlines at the Rugby World Cup
Japan 25 - 8 Samoa
61 mins: Kotaro Matsushima looks electric when given the space and he makes a break!
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