- Japan’s victory means England are assured to complete high of Pool D
- Courageous Blossoms face showdown with Argentina for a spot within the final eight
- Ben Lam was despatched off for an unpleasant head-on-head deal with on Pieter Labuschagne
England have formally certified for the World Cup quarter-finals as Japan’s victory right here means Steve Borthwick’s aspect are assured to complete high of Pool D.
Michael Leitch scored two tries for the rejuvenated Courageous Blossoms, who now face a showdown with Argentina in Nantes on October 8 to resolve which ones reaches the final eight together with England, who tackle Samoa the earlier night time in Lille.
The Pacific islanders will probably be with out their wing, Ben Lam, who was despatched off for an unpleasant, harmful head-on-head deal with.
On this proof, an English clear sweep within the round-robin stage is all however assured, despite the fact that Samoa grew into this sport and completed strongly. They’ve loads of route-one physicality, a strong scrum and the dexterous brilliance of Saracens ahead Theo McFarland of their armoury, however they need to not have ample creativity, tempo and kicking pedigree to upset England.
Michael Leitch scored two tries for Japan within the hard-fought victory over Samoa
Japan flanker Pieter Labuschagne stretched previous the ultimate defender to attain in first-half
In distinction, Japan – who have been woefully wanting momentum coming into this event – seem like regaining misplaced ambition and fluency.
A few of their attacking play final night time supplied glimpses of the dazzling brilliance which illuminated the final international showpiece, which they hosted in 2019.
Regardless of being pressured to cling on on the finish, Jamie Joseph’s workforce will now consider they’ll knock out the Pumas – figuring out that the prize could be a possible quarter-final conflict with Wales in Marseille.
The Japanese went forward within the thirteenth minute. After full-back Lomano Lemeki blasted out of a deal with to go clear on the left, flanker Pieter Labuschagne stretched previous the ultimate defender to attain. Eight minutes earlier than the break, Rikiya Lemeki went on the rampage once more and Matsuda’s lofted cross despatched Michael Leitch crashing over within the left nook. Matsuda transformed once more.
Each side have been lowered to 14 males as first Jonathan Taumateine and Shota Horie have been sin-binned, then simply earlier than the break, Seilala Lam touched down from a lineout drive to cut back the hole to 9 factors.
Early within the second half, Samoa wing Ben Lam was sin-binned for a harmful excessive deal with and after a assessment of the pinnacle collision, his yellow card was upgraded to pink. Moments later, Japan kicked a penalty to the proper nook and their rolling maul concluded with Leitch touching down once more.
One other Matsuda penalty prolonged the deficit, then Kotaro Matsushima streaked clear to attain what would have been Japan’s bonus-point attempt, but it surely was dominated out for an infringement within the build-up.
Samoa capitalised on their reprieve, as Tumua Manu thundered via midfield and two slick dealing with contributions by McFarland teed up a attempt for Duncan Paia’aua and Christian Leali’ifano transformed from a large angle.
Samoa wing Ben Lam was despatched off for a harmful head-on-head deal with on Labuschagne
Samoa rallied regardless of the pink card and scored a late transformed attempt to earn a bonus level
Japan’s victory means England are assured to qualify for the quarter-finals as Pool D winners
However Japan wrested again management, superior up the sector and Matsuda struck one other penalty to ram dwelling the Far East nation’s benefit with 5 minutes remaining.
Samoa wouldn’t go quietly although and there was nonetheless time for Leali’ifano so as to add a late transformed attempt to earn his aspect a bonus level which was deserved reward for his or her spirited resistance when lowered to 14 males.
