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 - 8 Samoa
58 mins: Japan are the next to give away a penalty for not releasing.
Japan 25 - 8 Samoa
57 mins: Samoa give another penalty away, and are then marched back another 10m!
PENALTY! Japan 25 - 8 Samoa
55 mins: Matsuda’s pinpoint accuracy returns and he slots the 47m kick.
Japan 22 - 8 Samoa
54 mins: Samoa give away a penalty at the scrum for not driving straight. Japan go for the posts.
Japan 22 - 8 Samoa
51 mins: Knock on by Ed Fidow, Japan scrum.
(UPGRADED) RED CARD Japan 22 - 8 Japan
50 mins: high degree of danger, no mitigation, contact to the head. Ben Lam will stay off the pitch and Samoa are down to 14 for the rest of the match.
TRY! Japan 22 - 8 Samoa
48 mins: Japan from the maul this time! Jack Cornelsen takes the ball from the lineout, and it’s captain Kazuki Himeno who gets over from the rolling maul in the corner.
Matsuda misses the conversion, his first miss of the RWC this year.
YELLOW CARD Japan 17 - 8 Samoa
46 mins: Ben Lam is shown a yellow card (sent to the bunker) after his shoulder makes head contact in the tackle. Shota Horie comes back on after the pause, Japan back up to 15 while Samoa are down to 14 again.
Pieter Labuschagne goes off for an HIA, and Warner Dearns comes on as a replacement in the meantime.
Japan 17 - 8 Samoa
44 mins: Jonathan Taumateine gives away a penalty for tackling a player without the ball.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments