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.
SECOND HALF Japan 17 - 8 Samoa
40 mins: Rikiya Matsuda gets the second half under way!
Shota Horie’s card remains as a yellow, he’ll return to the pitch in five minutes.
HALF-TIME: Japan 17-8 Samoa
Here are the Japan tries from that first half in Toulouse.
First half stats
Territory: Japan 38%, Samoa 62%
Metres carried: Japan 182, Samoa 189
Tackles: Japan 96, Samoa 39
Tackles missed: Japan 15, Samoa 12
Top tackler: Shota Horie (15)
Top metres: Lomano Lemeki (89)
Top offloads: Duncan Paia’aua (3)
HALF TIME Japan 17 - 8 Samoa
Japan:
Tries - Pieter Labuschagne (13’), Michael Leitch (32’)
Conversions - Rikiya Matsuda (15’, 33’)
Penalty - Rikiya Matsuda (28’)
Samoa:
Try - Seilala Lam (38’)
Penalty - Alai D’Angelo Leuila (25’)
TRY! Japan 17 - 8 Samoa
37 mins: A massive rolling maul and Seilala Lam dots down for Samoa!
Christian Leali’ifano’s conversion is slightly wide.
Samoa have worked their way back into the game in the last few minutes and are looking a lot more positive.
YELLOW CARD Japan 17 - 3 Samoa
36 mins: Shota Horie is yellow-carded for an upright tackle which makes head contact. Both sides down to 14, and Horie’s card has been sent to the bunker.
CONVERSION! Japan 17 - 3 Samoa
32 mins: Matsuda with the kick!
Jonathan Taumateine has been yellow-carded for Samoa in the interim for his dangerous tackle in the build-up to the try. The bad luck worsens for Samoa as kicker Alai D’Angelo Leuila leaves the pitch to be replaced by Danny Toala.
TRY! Japan 15 - 3 Samoa
31 mins: Lemeki with a strong carry as he receives the ball from Dylan Riley. Japan work their way to the other side of the pitch and Leitch is lurking in the corner as he often does and gets the perfect pass from Matsuda to score out wide!
Japan 10 - 3 Samoa
28 mins: Samoa penalised for being off their feet again.
Leitch does well to hold onto the ball at the lineout.
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