Japan beats Samoa 28-22 to set up must-win clash against Argentina

Well done, Japan. Great rugby.

As expected, a little too much class for the Samoans. Well done, Brave Blossoms. Japan will need to go up a level however against the Argies. They can take a lot of confidence in.

Congrats also to England on topping this group. They now have the luxury of resting players vs Samoa as they prepare for a likely QF vs the Flying Fijians. Mouth-watering match-up!

Man, I really wanted to watch this but that 4am Japan start time is tough for me.

Great game Japan❗

This will be morale booster for the game against Argentina.

It's so heartening to see the Japan rugby team truly reflects the diversity of this welcoming nation.

Why so many negative votes?

Why so many negative votes?

Pretty clear there were quite a few who wanted the Brave Blossoms to lose.

Bad luck, guys!

Excellent, well done Japan, a well-deserved victory, good luck with Argentina..

GO JAPAN !!!!...

Why so many negative votes?

Pretty clear there were quite a few who wanted the Brave Blossoms to lose.

Bad luck, guys!

Of course, the bitter people who hate Japan appear and their resentment and helplessness is reflected in the comments...

LOL !!!...

Is there a limit to the number of non-native born players joining Japan's national rugby team as there are, for example, in Japanese professional baseball?

NOMINATION

Man, I really wanted to watch this but that 4am Japan start time is tough for me.

Tough? It's a complete non-starter for me. Maybe I'll wake up a little earlier to watch like an 8am game. Maybe.

But, 4am? No thanks. I'll just read the results here. With my coffee. During normal human hours.

is there a limit to the number of non-native born players joining Japan's national rugby team as there are, for example, in Japanese professional baseball?

Nope. As long as they meet heritage or residency rules, my understanding is there is no limit. Teams like Samoa and Tonga have mostly foreign born players - plenty of Kiwis and Aussie citizens - who qualify on heritage grounds.

It appears with Japan, however, the Japan Rugby try and limit foreign born players to less than 50% of the squad.

DeanZzr

Is there a limit to the number of non-native born players joining Japan's national rugby team as there are, for example, in Japanese professional baseball?

No, the rule is after 5 years residency all are able to play. Used to be 3 years.

Even half the team is fine as the Brave Blossoms show every game.

Pretty clear there were quite a few who wanted the Brave Blossoms to lose.

> Bad luck, guys!

Haha. Usually I'd want them to lose, but I was satisfied enough with England not even getting out of 4th gear and absolutely crushing Japan. So so satisfying to see how much of a joke it is that Japan are considered a tier 1 team.

Japan winning sets them up for a massive disappointment against Argentina, and I can sit and laugh as their arrogant claims that they were going to win the whole thing bite the dust.

Even if they somehow luckily beat the Argies, they'll be out against whoever they play next

Watch Leitch's try from all camera angles and tell me that pass wasn't forward. Didn't notice watching live but one camera shows it was two meters forward from a stationary player so backwards from the hands isn't possible. Samoa didn't complain and its all over now but watch look for the try on Y tube and see what you think.

^LOL. Dry your eyes, boys. You might get to see Foster's imposters knocked out by the Italians in a couple of hours. That'll put smiles on your dials.