A back-and-forth encounter full of penalties and tries.
Japan showed their maturity in closing out their third win in a row as the team took a big step towards the quarter finals.
The Japan team really came together as a unit to record a victory over the Irish. The match versus Samoa started as an intense back-and-forth encounter as both sides traded penalties. Japan took the lead by converting the first penalty of the match, with Samoa drawing level shortly afterwards. Japan took the lead again in the 24th minute. Thinking of their passage to the quarter finals, Japan began to focus on scoring at least four tries in order to secure the bonus point on offer. With that in mind, in the 28th minute, winger Matsushima made great progress towards the Samoan tryline and center Lafaele – born and raised in Samoa – eventually crossed over to score the first try of the game. Fly-half Tamura slotted the conversion home and the first half ended with Japan leading 16-9.
The match restarted with Samoa and then Japan converting penalty kicks, and then in the 14th minute of the second half the number eight Himeno scored the second try of the game for Japan. Samoa fought back with a try and conversion of their own, narrowing the deficit to just 7 points. As a nervous hush descended on the crowd, Japan kept applying pressure and their efforts were rewarded with a third try. Then with the horn sounding to signal that 40 minutes had been played in the second half – and all that had to happen for the match to be over was for the ball to be kicked into touch – there was a rule infraction on the Samoan side and Japanese were awarded a scrum, from which winger Matsushima scored Japan’s fourth try of the contest, securing the bonus point for his side. This was to be a crucial moment in the evolution of the Japanese team and their never-say-die attitude.
FW (Forwards)
PR (Props)
Jersey Numbers 1 and 3
Props are at the front of the scrum – the intense competition to win the ball involving all eight forwards in a rugby team – and they generally are the heaviest, most solidly-built members of a squad. They require strong neck and shoulder muscles in order to compete with their opposite numbers in the scrum.
HO (Hooker)
Jersey Number 2
Typically, hookers are built like props, as they stand on the front line of the scrum between two props. Their job in the scrum is to hook the ball back with their feet as it is fed in by the scrum-half. At the line-out it is often a hooker that throws the ball back into play.
LO (Locks)
Jersey Numbers 4 and 5
In the scrum, the locks set up directly behind the three front row forwards (the two props and the hooker) and use their power to push against the opposition. Locks are typically tall, which is an advantage when competing for the ball at the line-out.
FL (Flankers)
Jersey Numbers 6 and 7
Flankers push in from the left and right sides of the scrum. They are usually involved with handling or competing for the ball, so they are expected to be strong in the tackle as well as quick and agile on their feet.
Number Eight
Jersey Number 8
The last member of the scrum, the number eight controls the forwards from the rear of the pack. Often called upon to attack and defend, a number eight needs power and quick feet to be effective.
BK (Backs)
SH (Scrum-Half)
Jersey Number 9
The scrum-half feeds the ball into the scrum. Their main role is to be the linchpin connecting forward and back play. A good scrum-half will be quick-witted and dexterous when it comes to making passes as well as being able to make decisions as the game situation evolves. The scrum-half is often the smallest player on the field in terms of stature.
SO/FH (Stand-Off/Fly-Half)
Jersey Number 10
The fly-half controls the backs. Receiving the ball from the scrum-half, the fly-half can decide to pass or kick the ball, or even make a break themselves. They are a key player in any offensive play and are often seen as a tactical leader on the field.
WTB (Wingers)
Jersey Numbers 11 and 14
Wingers typically race down channels on both edges of the pitch and are known for scoring tries. Wingers need to be fast as well as possessing rapid acceleration.
CTB (Centers)
Jersey Numbers 12 and 13
In an attacking situation, the centers would be looking to receive the ball and then make a pass to one of the wingers, or to break through themselves if they can see a hole in the defensive formation. When the team is defending, the centers will be called upon to make a lot of tackles, so they need to be strong and dynamic.
FB (Full-Back)
Jersey Number 15
The full-back is the most deeply positioned player in the team – the last line of defense. They observe the formations and patterns of the opposing team and control the backline from the rear. A good full-back needs to be solid in the tackle as well as having a strong boot when it comes to kicking the ball into opposition territory.