{"id":1132,"date":"2023-09-28T18:14:17","date_gmt":"2023-09-28T22:14:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/rugby-world-cup-england-secure-quarter-final-spot-after-japan-hold-off-samoa-in-close-28-22-contest-rugby-union-news\/28\/09\/2023\/"},"modified":"2023-09-28T18:14:17","modified_gmt":"2023-09-28T22:14:17","slug":"rugby-world-cup-england-secure-quarter-final-spot-after-japan-hold-off-samoa-in-close-28-22-contest-rugby-union-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newssprinters.com\/index.php\/sport\/rugby-world-cup-england-secure-quarter-final-spot-after-japan-hold-off-samoa-in-close-28-22-contest-rugby-union-news\/28\/09\/2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Rugby World Cup: England secure quarter-final spot after Japan hold off Samoa in close 28-22 contest | Rugby Union News"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n England are now through to the quarter-finals after Japan beat Samoa; Japan are now in second place in Pool D after the 28-22 victory; Samoa’s Ben Lam was handed a red card in the second half for a dangerous tackle <\/h2>\n
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Last Updated: 28\/09\/23 10:27pm<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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\n Japan improved their hopes of reaching the Rugby world Cup quarter-finals for a second time with their win over Samoa <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

England qualified for the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup after Japan saw off 14-man Samoa 28-22 in Toulouse to keep alive their own hopes of progressing to the knockout stage.<\/p>\n

The Brave Blossoms go on to face Argentina in the final round of Pool D matches – and only one of them will join Steve Borthwick’s side, who are confirmed as group winners ahead of their clash with Samoa due to their superior head-to-head record, in the knockout phase.<\/p>\n

Japan, who reached the last eight for the first time four years ago as hosts, opened the scoring in the 13th minute when Pieter Labuschagne stretched over in the corner and Rikiya Matsuda converted.<\/p>\n

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A penalty from D’Angelo Leuila got Samoa, without captain Chris Vui through a late change, on the board, but Matsuda’s kick soon restored Japan’s advantage.<\/p>\n

Michael Leitch added another try in the corner before Samoa’s Jonathan Taumateine was sent to the sin bin after a shoulder barge in the build-up.<\/p>\n

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