Japan vs Samoa, Rugby World Cup 2019: Result and reaction

Re-live all the action from Toyota

Fireworks in Japan after host nation's Rugby World Cup win over Ireland

Kotaro Matsushima scored a bonus-point try deep into injury time as Japan moved to the brink of their first Rugby World Cup quarter-final with a 38-19 Pool A victory over Samoa.

The hosts, who turned the tournament upside down when they beat Ireland last week, moved to the top of the pool with 14 points and also secured their third victory in the pool phase for the second successive World Cup.

The loss ended the Pacific Islanders’ chances of their first place in the knockout phase since 1995, although the grouping is not likely to be decided until Japan play Scotland in Yokohama in the last game of the pool phase on 13 October. Re-live action below:

Key Points

• Japan XV: Ryohei Yamanaka, Kotaro Matsushima, Timothy Lafaele, Ryoto Nakamura, Lomano Lemeki, Yu Tamura, Yutaka Nagare; Kazuki Himeno, Pieter Labuschagne (C), Michael Leitch, James Moore, Wimpie van der Walt, Jiwon Koo, Atsushi Sakate, Keita Inagaki.
• Samoa XV: Tim Nanai-Williams, Ah See Tuala, Alapati Leiua, Henry Taefu, Ed Fidow, Ulupano Seuteni, Dwayne Polataivao; Jack Lam (C), TJ Ioane, Chris Vui, Kane Le'aupepe, Piula Faasalele, Michael Alaalatoa, Seilala Lam, Jordan Lay.

[5 October 2019 11:21 · Samuel Lovett]

You know what would be a curve ball? If the Japanese shouted 'whoooo?' for each Samoan player, as with the football. Unlikely, mind. This is Japan after all. Just a passing thought!

[5 October 2019 11:23 · Samuel Lovett]

Oosh. The atmosphere goes up a notch for the Japanese side as the players are read out from 1 to 15. Doesn't look like there's an empty seat in the house now. Just over five minutes to go.

[5 October 2019 11:25 · Samuel Lovett]

And here come the two teams out of the tunnel! A monstrous roar goes up around the stadium, draining into the black sky above. Pure electric. This is going to be a big one.

[5 October 2019 11:26 · Samuel Lovett]

National anthem time! Brb.

[5 October 2019 11:30 · Samuel Lovett]

Time for Samoa's Siva Tau, with the Japanese lined up a few metres back from the halfway line. 

The crowd are, unsurprisingly, keeping quiet as the men in blue do their thing.

[5 October 2019 11:31 · Samuel Lovett]

And that's that. Short but sweet. Japan will kick to get us under way tonight.

[5 October 2019 11:33 · Samuel Lovett]

KICK-OFF! Yu Tamura sends his effort high and long. Samoa immediately return play and, after 20 seconds, we have our first line-out.

[5 October 2019 11:35 · Samuel Lovett]

2 min: Japan 0-0 Samoa

An immediate injection of pace from the Japanese as they take it forward to the 22 with a surging, fluid passage of play among the backs. It's fumbled down near the left flank but we go back for an earlier infringement at the breakdown. Samoa off their feet. Nothing subtle about that at all. Penalty kick for Yu Tamura.

[5 October 2019 11:35 · Samuel Lovett]

3 min: Japan 3-0 Samoa (Tamura penalty)

The hosts up and running. A smooth kick from the fly-half as it sails straight through the posts. Just the start they'll have wanted.

[5 October 2019 11:39 · Samuel Lovett]

5 min: Japan 3-0 Samoa

Whoosh! Lomano Lemeki is away down the left flank with a sizzling burst of pace. He must have made about 50 metres there off a sturdy Japan scrum inside their own 22. He got away from on blue shirt but was brought down by Tim Nanai-Williams a few metres out from the Samoan white line. He had options to his right but saw his name in bright lights. Not the best of decisions, that. Jack Lam proceeds to make the turnover. Huge defensive play.