Rugby World Cup Samoa Japan

Bristol flanker Jack Lam enters the fray for Samoa, and it is no coincidence that the Pacific Islanders have improved since his arrival. What were Samoa thinking at the death?80+5: TRY Japan! Interesting. From an attacking lineout on the left, the Japanese pack execute the perfect rolling maul to bulldoze their way towards, and over, the line with number eight Himeno applying the finishing touch. It’s the law. The medical team act with great care as they lift him off the field and then some of the crowd stand to applaud.

One in fact hit both posts and bounced straight back out.Samoa 0-3 Japan"Aaaaah," groans the majority of Stadium MK.

It works, the kick sailing over the crossbar. But Japan held out to win a second game at a World Cup for the first time. He adds the extras and this one is going down to the wire at Toyota City! He adds the extras and this one is going down to the wire at Toyota City!And that should be that! "Will that extra night of inspecting the pitch pay dividends? 25: Yellow card. The technical part of the game can sometimes be hard to understand even for experienced players, let alone new rugby fans, which is why we've come up with an all singing iWonder guide.

It's as simple as that.

And Japan take full advantage! Here's what the Aussie-born coach had to say about the game..."We are playing one of the biggest teams and in every position we are giving height and weight away," says Jones. Who would have predicted this scoreline before kick-off? But Michael Leitch opts to go for the sticks with another penalty attempt, rather than go for the corner and the try which would move Japan closer to a much-needed bonus point. Hosts Japan edge closer to Rugby World Cup quarterfinal berth. A superb team try. The Rugby World Cup hosts defeated Samoa to set up a probable elimination game against Scotland next Sunday in their final pool match. The Leicester man is there to watch his brother Alesana, the Newcastle wing, who is lining up for Samoa.Samoa v Japan (14:30 BST)Stadium MK is rammed as almost 30,000 punters welcome the teams out of the tunnel. Monster.Samoa v Japan (14:30 BST)Lock Kane Thompson is in the Samoa side after completing a two-match ban.Thompson's return is one of five changes from their 46-6 loss to South Africa, with fly-half Tusi Pisi and centre Johnny Leota also starting.Japan have made five changes after their 45-10 defeat by Scotland.Kensuke Hatakeyama replaces Hiroshi Yamashita at tight-head prop, while lock Hitoshi Ono wins his 96th cap.Samoa v Japan (14:30 BST)Phil ShepkaBBC Sport at Stadium mk"While Japan came to Stadium MK on their team coach, the Samoa team were actually staying in the ground's hotel last night, making their journey to the players' entrance a grand total of around 20 metres.

Jamie Joseph’s side came flying out of the blocks but haven’t had it all their own way, with Samoa bringing plenty of physicality and intent to the contest.Their indiscipline cost them again, however, as Ioane’s 10 minutes in the bin for an illegal hit allowed Japan pull clear through Timothy Lafaele’s try, while out-half Tamura has scored 11 points off the tee.

Michael Leitch spots a gap, but a blue wall of Samoan shirts appear from nowhere to block his path.#bbcrugby#bbcrugbyEx-Samoa international scrum-half Junior Poluleuligaga is impressed with Japan....Samoa 0-26 Japan - Ayumu GoromaruJapan stretch their advantage with another three-pointer from Ayumu Goromaru. Eddie Jones's side have not played for 10 days - they should be refreshed and ready to tear into the Samoans.Samoa 0-0 JapanThe bubbly crowd are well up for this. After Japan are awarded that penalty try Kahn Fotuali'i squares up to his opposite number nine Fumiaki Tanaka before the Japanese player is pulled away by his team-mates.

Their worst World Cup was in 2007 and 2015 when they finished fourth in their pool. As it happened: Japan v Samoa, Rugby World Cup.

As it stands they are second in Pool B ahead of Scotland v South Africa. And what a way to do it. Bulky prop Sakaria Taulafo  is the next to be told off by ref Craig Joubert, rightly so for smashing into Japan full-back Ayumu Goromaru as collected a high ball. Ayumu Goromaru, from a central position about 30 metres out, boots the penalty straight through the sticks.Samoa 0-10 JapanAnother Japan attack, more Samoan indiscipline.

What do you think?Samoa 0-0 JapanAn early handling error from Samoa gifts the turnover to the Japanese.

Surely?Samoa 0-3 JapanJapan kick to the corner, which brings huge cheers from the Japan-supporting Milton Keynes crowd. If there is another offside, someone goes to the bin. The officials agree that it is a penalty but nothing more, and Taefu is going to have another shot at the posts.A much better strike from Taefu as he slots over the long-range penalty. We want to win points with jabs, Samoa want to win with knock-outs.

But wait! "I wonder if they have a 'Wet Paint' sign to warn any unsuspecting passers by..."Hungry for some scrum-ptious stuff today?

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