A late converted try gave Samoa 90-odd seconds to pull off a miracle comeback. They forced a lineout on halfway but the throw-in was stolen and Japan beat Samoa for a third Rugby World Cup in a row.
Fullback Lomano Lemeki, playing after the tournament-ending injury to Semisi Masirewa, highlighted his first start in nearly two years with breaks that led to Japan’s first two tries for back-rowers Pieter Labuschagne and Michael Leitch.
They led 17-3 until Shota Horie’s yellow card canceled a yellow to Samoa’s Jonathan Taumateine, and Samoa drove hooker Seilala Lam over the line just before halftime.
Samoa’s second yellow card in the 47th cost it dearly. Winger Ben Lam, in only his second test, shoulder-tackled Labuschagne in the head.
Before the card was upgraded to red by the bunker, Japan turned the penalty into a corner lineout and mauled captain Kazuki Himeno for a third try.
Rikiya Matsuda couldn’t convert from the sideline, missing his first goalkick in the tournament after 13 successive shots across three matches. But then he made two more penalties to keep the scoreboard pressure on Samoa as it desperately and vainly rallied to keep its tournament hopes alive.
