It’s over. Samoa’s dreams of making the quarterfinals at the Rugby World Cup 2015 were shamefully crushed this morning by Japan.
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Wrong selections, poor discipline and the absence of leadership took its toll.
Japan won convincingly, 26-5.
A lone try by hard-working Paul Perez was simply not good enough to stem the flow of points accumulated by a clinical Japanese team, who stepped up another notch in their performance.
This unfortunately for Samoa tearfully spelled the end of a dream.
Not so long ago, Samoa’s chances of rewriting the history books looked very promising.
But that dream now has become a thing of the past in what has so far been a woeful World Cup campaign for the men in blue.
Unimpressive against the United States of America in their first game, this morning’s defeat comes on the heels of a massive, 46-6 points hiding against the South Africa last week.
Samoa needed to at least beat Japan to keep their hopes alive with one more must-win game against Scotland this week.
Alas, it wasn't to be.
Samoa started poorly.
A drop ball from captain Ofisa Treviranus from the kick-off was a sign of things to come as the team struggled for possession and territory.
The penalty count quickly mounted against them and that indiscipline cost them dearly with two players sin-binned in the opening 40 minutes.
First was Faifili Levave for a dangerous tackle and then Sakaria Taulafo followed for tackling a player in the air.
With 13 men, Manu Samoa conceded a penalty try for attempting to spoil Japan at the line.
They never recovered from there.
The Brave Blossoms took full advantage with Ayumu Goromaru directing a very famous win for the Japanese who have no doubt now become the darlings of the World Cup.
Samoa’s problems were compounded in the end when lock Teofilo Paulo was also sent to the bin.
For Japan, it was an incredible win, adding to what has already been an incredible World Cup campaign.
The result against Samoa was never in doubt.
Two converted tries (penalty and Akihito Yamada) and four penalties for Ayumu Goromaru took Eddie Jones's side ahead of South Africa, the side they stunned at the start of the tournament, into second in pool B.
Should Scotland beat the Springboks, the Brave Blossoms, who have now doubled their total World Cup victories, will be looking at a quarter-final place with a win over U.S.A.
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