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That was a breathless finale – but much like against Argentina, Samoa left themselves too much to do. They were second best for much of the match, but the manner of their fightback will leave them wondering what might have been. As for Japan, they move on to face Argentina – and another quarter-final appearance really could be on.
Full time! Japan 28-22 Samoa
It’s not to be – a scrappy lineout is gathered by Japan and kicked into touch. Those in red and white celebrate; the men in blue drop to the floor, devastated.
80 mins: As the crowd get behind them, Samoa rattle through nine phases and get a penalty. They’ll have a lineout in midfield, with the clock in the red …
79 mins: Samoa have possession but are deep in their own half, with a long way to go. As it stands, they will get a losing bonus point – but a much bigger prize is still up for grabs …
TRY! Japan 28-22 Samoa (Leali'ifano 78')
Rather than work it out wide, Samoa go for the jugular with Christian Leali’ifano barging his way under the posts. He adds the conversion – that’s one out of two …
77 mins: Seungsin Lee replaces Matsuda, who looks a shoo-in for player of the match. Samoa win the lineout and go for raw power …
76 mins: Samoa need two converted tries in four minutes – with 14 men. Japan collapse the scrum, giving them an opportunity they need to take.
75 mins: Now the changes come for Japan with Shimokawa replacing the tireless Leitch, and Tomoki Osada on for Nakamura.
Japan 28-15 Samoa (Matsuda pen) Motuga is penalised for going in off his feet in desperation, and Matsuda converts the mid-range penalty. With five minutes left, that will surely be that.
72 mins: Neria Fomai is on for Ed Fidow, who wasn’t able to make much of an impact on the wing. Japan appear happy to secure the win, rather than push for a fourth try and bonus point.
70 mins: But no – Samoa stand up to the maul and win the penalty, and a chance to clear their lines.
69 mins: Japan again get their backs lined up on the left, Matsushima and Riley working the ball to Naikabula, who collects his own kick through before being held up 5m out. Japan get a penalty, though, and a chance to get the job done …
67 mins: Dearns is back on, this time for Jack Cornelsen. Jamie Joseph should think about emptying his bench now – the Samoa replacements are doing damage, even with a man missing.
TRY! Japan 25-15 Samoa (Paia'aua 65')
They can! McFarland gets over the gain line and finds Leali’ifano, held up a metre or so out – but Matavao swings the ball left to Duncan Paia’aua, who gets beyond Matsushima to score. Leali’ifano finds his range to convert – maybe it’s not over yet …
64 mins: Samoa make their eighth visit to the Japanese 22 – with just eight points to show for it so far. Can they change that now?
63 mins: Matsushima thinks he has added a fourth try for Japan on the break as Samoa pour forward – but replays show that Dylan Riley knocked the ball on as he dived in front of Michael Alaalatoa.
62 mins: A darting run from Matsushima gets the crowd on their feet, but Samoa are able to regroup. Horie was spared a red card but his match is now over – he is replaced at hooker by Sakate.
60 mins: Manu barrels down the middle but can’t get his pass away cleanly. More frustration for Samoa, who have thrown on Matavao and Motuga from the bench, replacing Taufua and Taumateine.
58 mins: Labuschagne is able to return after a head injury assessment.
Andy Woolnough writes on the Horie yellow card: “I no longer understand the card system. I’ve just watched two seasons of rugby where you so much breathe on someone’s head and it’s a straight red. Now it’s open season, upright tackling with only a yellow as a consequence.”
Japan 25-8 Samoa (Matsuda pen) Another Samoa error gives Matsuda the chance to kick three points, which he takes. Japan can probably start looking forward to a final pool shootout game with Argentina now.
52 mins: A new front row for Samoa – Malolo, Lay and Alaalatoa all come on. At the next scrum, Peyper has a word with all the new boys after a scrappy start – “we didn’t have much trouble before you,” he tells them.
51 mins: Matsuda misses the conversion; the first mistake he’s made all match. Labuschagne, injured by that Lam challenge, is replaced by Warner Dearns. Samoa are about to ring the changes …
Red card! Ben Lam sent off for Samoa
The verdict is in, and Ben Lam is sent off. High degree of danger, no mitigation, direct contact with the head – and Peyper shows the red card. Hard to argue with that one.
TRY! Japan 22-8 Samoa (Himeno 50')
Jack Cornelsen climbs to collect the lineout and Japan roll for the line, keeping low and swerving their maul to find a weak spot. It’s the captain, Kazuki Himeno, who gets the ball down under a pile of bodies.
48 mins: Matsuda kicks for the corner after a Samoa player drifts offside. Japan have the lineout, and a chance to push for the line …
47 mins: Horie and Naikabula return for Japan, who are up to their full 15 just as Samoa lose a man – perhaps permanently.
Second yellow card for Samoa!
The TMO has flagged a bad challenge from Ben Lam, whose shoulder connected with Labuschagne’s neck. He’s going to the sin bin, but this could well be upgraded.
47 mins: Japan have been managing the ball tidily in the opening spell of the first half, but turn it over as they try to increase the pace. Another stoppage now, though …
46 mins: Horie is going to return alongside two front-row replacements, Craig Millar and Asaeli Ai Valu.
42 mins: Taumateine is back on for Samoa, who will have a brief man advantage. Japan winger Jone Naikabula has gone off to allow Atsushi Sakate to bolster the front row in the scrum.
Second half
We are back under way – and Horie’s yellow card will not be upgraded to red. It looked similar to Tom Curry’s red card against Argentina, which felt harsh at the time.
Half time! Japan 17-8 Samoa
The final attack ends with a knock-on, and the half ends with the sin-binned Shota Horie’s fate to be decided. It was comfortably Japan’s half as they scored two fine, flowing tries – but Samoa’s late score could be crucial.
39 mins: That miss aside, Leali’ifano has stepped up for Samoa, operating as scrum-half in Taumateine’s absence and finally getting the attacking gears to click. We are into the red, but they don’t want the half to end …
TRY! Japan 17-8 Samoa (Seilala Lam 38')
Just when the game seemed to be slipping away, Samoa fight back. From the penalty, they win the lineout and get a fearsome rolling maul going, allowing Seilala Lam to go over. Leali’ifano, back on kicking duty, misses the conversion from out wide.
Yellow card for Japan!
The TMO stops play to allow Peyper to review a high tackle by Shota Horie, who clashes heads with Duncan Paia’aua. It’s a yellow card, but will be reviewed – there’s no review ongoing for Taumateine’s transgression.
