Japan pick up 2nd win at RWC 2015 by beating Samoa

MILTON KEYNES, England (Oct. 3) – Japan picked up their second win at Rugby World Cup 2015 as they downed Samoa 26-5 on Saturday at Stadium MK.

A penalty try, a five pointer from Akihito Yamada and 16 points from the trusted right boot of Ayumu Goromaru lift Japan to eight points from three games in Pool B, and sees a quarterfinal spot still a possibility.

Goromaru opened the scoring in the seventh minute as Japan started well, dominating possession and territory and playing error-free rugby.

The Samoans seemed frustrated by Japan’s good start and two yellow cards in the space of three minutes turned the game in Japan’s favour.

Using their numerical advantage the Japan pack pushed the Samoans back in a scrum in the 23rd minute and when the set piece collapsed referee Craig Joubert awarded a penalty to Japan.

Goromaru added the conversion and then a second penalty as Japan went 13-0 up.

They increased their lead on the stroke of halftime when Akihito Yamada’s dancing feet allowed him to find a gap down the touchline before he dived over for the try. Goromaru putting the icing on the cake by adding the extras from the sideline to make it 20-0.

The second half saw Samoa try to play catch-up rugby, but two more penalties from Goromaru and some superb defense from the Brave Blossoms meant Paul Perez’s try in the 63rd minute was nothing more than a consolation score.

Japan now have a week off before they take on the United States in Gloucester on Oct. 11, the final game of the pool stage.