Rugby World Cup: Japan beat Samoa 38-19

Japan’s Rugby World Cup ride is showing no signs of slowing after the Brave Blossoms downed Samoa.

Kenki Fukuoka of Japan scores his team’s third try during the Rugby World Cup.

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Hosts Japan conjured the samurai spirit to smash Samoa 38-19 on Saturday and take a giant step towards a historic quarterfinal spot at the Rugby World Cup.

Tries by Samoan-born Timothy Lafaele, Kazuki Himeno, Kenki Fukuoka and Kotaro Matsushima helped make it three wins out of three for the Brave Blossoms, who returned to the top of Pool A.

Yu Tamura scored 18 points on eight of 10 kicking to pace Japan, who added a bonus point through Matsushima’s try long after fulltime to take control of their own destiny.

Samoa threw down the challenge before the game with their fearsome “siva tau” war dance on a cool night in Toyota.

But in the heartland of the ancient samurai warriors, it was Japan who showed the greater hunger and fight as the Pacific islanders made an early exit.

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(L-R) Japan's fly-half Rikiya Matsuda, Japan's number 8 Kazuki Himeno, Samoa's lock Kane Le'aupepe and Japan's hooker Atsushi Sakate pose after the match on Saturday. Picture: AFP

Tamura and Henry Taefu traded a handful of penalties in the early skirmishes before Lafaele scored the game’s first try just before the half-hour mark after swarming Japanese pressure.

With Samoa’s TJ Ioane in the sin bin for a late hit on local boy Tamura, Lafaele spotted a gap and crashed over to the joy of 45,000 fans at the Toyota Stadium.

Japan's number 8 Kazuki Himeno (left) and fly-half Rikiya Matsuda celebrate after beating Samoa. Picture: AFP

Samoa full-back Tim Nanai-Williams, cousin of All Blacks superstar Sonny Bill, went off with a head injury just before halftime after being smashed by Queenslander James Moore — his failure to re-emerge a big miss.

Leading 16-9 at the break, Taefu’s boot brought Samoa to within four points before Tamura slotted a penalty of his own and Himeno bulldozed over after 54 minutes.

The crowd’s excitement reached fever pitch as Japan’s maul rolled on from a lineout and Himeno completed the job.

Hendrik Tui of Japan is tackled by Ed Fidow of Samoa. Picture: Getty Images

Samoa had won 11 of the 15 Tests played between the sides but it has been seven years since they last beat Japan.

Himeno’s try knocked the stuffing out of the Pacific Islanders, who reached the World Cup quarterfinals in 1991 and 1995 but have been cannon fodder for the bigger teams in recent tournaments.

Taefu scored and converted a try that gave Samoa brief hope before Fukuoka added a late third try for Japan.

Japan's Kenki Fukuoka runs in to score against Samoa. Picture: AP

Then almost five minutes after the final gong, Matsushima darted over for his fourth try of the tournament to bring Japan a precious bonus point and give the scoreline a slightly flattering complexion.

After beating Russia 30-10 and then stunning Ireland 19-12 to top Pool A, Japan face Scotland next week in the biggest game in their history.

Samoa crashed out of the tournament after their opening 34-9 win over Russia was followed by a 34-0 drubbing by Scotland in their next game.