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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 Lam's 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.