Japan down Samoa to Return to the Top of Pool A

Japan downed Samoa to return to the top of Pool A. The 38-19 victory follows earlier wins over Russia and Ireland which sees the RWC 2019 host nation remaining undefeated.

As was the case against Russia the Japanese looked nervous early on before eventually finding their way to seal the bonus point. It was secured with the final play of the match as winger Kotaro Matsushima scored his fourth try of the tournament.

The start of the show for Japan was N8 Kazuki Himeno. He was an excellent ball-carrier and defended brilliantly. He also scored one of Japan’s four tries. the remaining three went to center Timothy Lafaele, and wingers Kenki Fukuoka and Matsushima.

Fly half Yu Tamura continued to underline himself as one of the best fly halves of the competition. Following on from his strong matches against Russia and Ireland he scored 18 points today, one less than the today points score by Samoa.

All 19 of Samoa’s points were scored by center Henry Taefu. They came in the form of four penalties and a converted try. Tamura kicked seven goals in the form of three conversions and four penalties. The first two of which gave Japan an early 6-0 lead.

Samoa did well to level the scores with Taefu landing two penalties. It saw the opening quarter finishing with the scores level at 6-6. Taefu would add one further first half penalty as would Tamura. As such Lafaele’s 27th minute try was the difference between the sides at half time.

In the second half Samoa opened the scoring through a penalty. The next score would come with seven minutes remaining. Before then Himeno crossed for his try and Tamura slotted five points.

The tense final minutes saw Taefu’s try being responded to from Fukuoka. With five minutes remaining the Japanese had sealed the result though they needed another try to secure a bonus point. It came with time up as an advancing scrum saw Himeno carrying before quick passes put over Matsushima.

Both Japan and Samoa have one remaining match in the pool. Samoa face Ireland and Japan face Scotland next weekend. Before then Scotland face Russia on Wednesday.

 

SCORING

JAPAN (38)
Try: Lafaele (27′), Himeno (53′), Fukuoka (75′), Matsushima (84′)
Conversion: Tamura (29′, 55′, 86′)
Penalty: Tamura (2′, 7′, 23′, 50′)

SAMOA (19)
Try: Taefu (72′)
Conversion: Taefu (73′)
Penalty: Taefu (9′, 15′, 33′, 44′)

 

TEAMS

JAPAN
1 Keita Inagaki, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 3 Ji-Won Koo, 4 Wimpie van der Walt, 5 James Moore, 6 Michael Leitch, 7 Lappies Labuschagne (capt.), 8 Kazuki Himeno, 9 Yutaka Nagare, 10 Yu Tamura, 11 Lomano Lemeki, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 14 Kotaro Matsushima, 15 Ryohei Yamanaka

Replacements: 16 Shota Horie, 17 Isileli Nakajima, 18 Asaeli Valu, 19 Uwe Helu, 20 Hendrik Tui, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Rikiya Matsuda, 23 Kenki Fukuoka

SAMOA
1 Jordan Lay, 2 Seilala Lam, 3 Michael Ala’alatoa, 4 Piula Fa’asalele, 5 Kane Leaupepe, 6 Chris Vui, 7 TJ Ioane, 8 Jack Lam (capt.), 9 Dwayne Polataivao, 10 Ulupano Seuteni, 11 Ed Fidow, 12 Henry Taefu, 13 Alapati Leiua, 14 Ahsee Tuala, 15 Tim Nanai-Williams

Replacements: 16 Ray Niuia, 17 Paul Alo-Emile, 18 James Lay, 19 Senio Toleafoa, 20 Josh Tyrell, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Tusi Pisi, 23 Kieron Fonotia

 

MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistants: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)