Page 2 - Ben Lam News Today

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 on Thursday.

Japan teamwork trumped Samoa individual power and won their Rugby World Cup match by a 28-22 scoreline that was more comfortable than it looked on Thursday. With Argentina expected to earn a bonus-point win against Chile on Saturday, Japan's last Pool D match with the Pumas next week will be a winner-takes-all fight for a quarterfinal spot. “That's our grand final,” Japan coach Jamie Joseph said.

Japan remain firmly in the hunt for a place in the quarter-finals after taking advantage of Ben Lams red card and eventually seeing off a defiant Samoa side - sealing England’s passage into the knockout stages as pool winners in the process.

Japan quickly turned their focus to their Pool D decider against Argentina after beating Samoa 28-22 on Thursday as they eye a second consecutive quarter-final spot at the Rugby World Cup.

The result meant England will top Pool D – the winner between Japan and Argentina next week will join them in the World Cup quarter-finals.

Japan boosted their chances of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the second successive time as they beat an ill disciplined Samoa.

Japan teamwork trumped Samoa individual power and won their Rugby World Cup match by a 28-22 scoreline that was more comfortable than it looked on Thursday. With Argentina expected to earn a bonus-point win against Chile on Saturday, Japan's last Pool D match with the Pumas next week will be a winner-takes-all fight for a quarterfinal spot. “That's our grand final,” Japan coach Jamie Joseph said.

Japan are five points clear of Argentina, who will play their game in hand against Chile on Saturday and then meet Japan on Sunday week.

Manu Samoa have made four changes to the side for their Pool D must-win match against Japan in Toulouse on Friday morning New Zealand time.

The Pumas now play 11 or 12 tests per year, most of them against fellow Tier 1 sides. Samoa played only 12 matches between the 2019 World Cup and this one, half of them against their fellow Pacific Islanders.