Japan v Samoa (Thu/Fri)

[Lizard]

Key match for determining who will qualify for the QFs. Two teams that are underperforming so far, so could be interesting, could be shit...

[Lizard]

Samoa the better team but trying too hard. Japan take their one chance and lead on the board.

[16th man]

Couple of excellent phases into that 2nd try for Japan.

[Lizard]

Actually, scrub that. Now that I'm watching properly, Japan are playing better. Far more accurate. Samoa might have an edge in the scrum but they are a bit shambolic and discipline is poor.

[16th man]

There is a lot of simply trying to run through your man from Samoa.

Lazy tackle technique from the Japan Hooker though could make it more interesting. Probably won't be upgraded to a red on the previous incident evidence.

[Lizard]

There is a lot of simply trying to run through your man from Samoa.

Lazy tackle technique from the Japan Hooker though could make it more interesting. Probably won't be upgraded to a red on the previous incident evidence.

A 7-man pack even for 10 minutes could be very costly for Japan if Samoa keep it tight.

[morepork]

This game needs some amphetamine.

[Buggaluggs]

That should do it. Samoa looking a bitty cuddly and soft this tournament.

[morepork]

Just fuck.

[Puja]

Matsuda's got a very old-fashioned kicking style - very front on, rather than around the corner. The last kicker I saw doing that was Tim Stimpson and it was a bit old-fashioned when he did it.

Puja

[Lizard]

Match day trivia: Japan's Jack Cornelsen is the son of former Wallaby flanker Greg Cornelsen who holds the unique distinction of having scored 4 tries in a single test against the All Blacks.

[Lizard]

Wait a minute...!

[morepork]

Rat's cocks. Japan are really well drilled. What was that, 2 penalties they conceded?

[Lizard]

Rat's cocks. Japan are really well drilled. What was that, 2 penalties they conceded?

Jpn 10 penalties, 1 yellow.
Sam 12 penalties, 1 yellow, 1 red.

Samoa ahead on territory, possession, metres carried, metres kicked. They made 85/103 tackes (77%), to Japan's 184/216 (74% and more than twice as many). Samoa was fucked by their handling errors, basically.

[morepork]

Rat's cocks. Japan are really well drilled. What was that, 2 penalties they conceded?

Jpn 10 penalties, 1 yellow.
Sam 12 penalties, 1 yellow, 1 red.

Samoa ahead on territory, possession, metres carried, metres kicked. They made 85/103 tackes (77%), to Japan's 184/216 (74% and more than twice as many). Samoa was fucked by their handling errors, basically.

You know that's going to be us. Fucked by dropsies.

[Sourdust]

Samoa ahead on territory, possession, metres carried, metres kicked. They made 85/103 tackes (77%), to Japan's 184/216 (74% and more than twice as many). Samoa was fucked by their handling errors, basically.

Although they looked (to my eyes) a lot better than previously, I still find myself half-hoping that Japan can somehow ambush Argentina. As a Wales fan, I seriously fancy playing a side who miss 26% of tackles, and don't contest the breakdown...

[paddy no 11]

Samoa should have won that, Japan are at the end of a 10 year cycle, running on fumes. Argentina literally need to pick and drive for 20 minutes and its over