RWC: Japan v Samoa (Pool A)

[Nevorian]

why did it take them 10 minutes to get Nanai-Williams off for a HIA?

[Damo]

Josh Ioane with another late tackle. That one was probably just OK, but sheesh.

[Stargazer]

TJ Ioane must really be careful with his tackles. That one was late. Not spotted/penalised.

[Damo]

TJ Ioane rather than Josh.

[voodoo]

@Damo said in RWC: Japan v Samoa (Pool A):

Josh Ioane with another late tackle. That one was probably just OK, but sheesh.

Agree, if the attacker had milked that, I think it would have been reviewed. V lucky

[Victor Meldrew]

Dumb penalty from Samoa

[Victor Meldrew]

Gotta love the Japanese fans

[chimoaus]

Is it just me or does the crowd go like statues when a player is kicking for goal?

[MiketheSnow]

Now that's a driving maul 👏👏👏

[chimoaus]

Beautiful rolling maul try to Japan, are Samoa getting tired?

[voodoo]

@MiketheSnow

I'm not sure there has been a moment that encapsulates a team on the rise v a team on the decline like that.

[KiwiMurph]

Himeno is a really good loosie.

[ACT Crusader]

Great crowd reaction to the drive.

Samoa have looked good ball in hand but just when they get a roll on the pass from the midfield out has been terrible. Hard pass / bad timing of runner.

[Damo]

@voodoo said in RWC: Japan v Samoa (Pool A):

@MiketheSnow

I'm not sure there has been a moment that encapsulates a team on the rise v a team on the decline like that.

And well coached. They threw it long so all the backs could join in immediately. This Japanese team is very well drilled.

[ACT Crusader]

Samoa have woken up.

[Damo]

Bordering on a YC there. Multiple offsides in the redzone.

[MiketheSnow]

Excellent defence

[MiketheSnow]

Crowd goes wild

[chimoaus]

The Japanese 8 is either a genetic mutation or has some South African DNA.

[voodoo]

@Damo said in RWC: Japan v Samoa (Pool A):

@voodoo said in RWC: Japan v Samoa (Pool A):

@MiketheSnow

I'm not sure there has been a moment that encapsulates a team on the rise v a team on the decline like that.

And well coached. They threw it long so all the backs could join in immediately. This Japanese team is very well drilled.

Yeah, a good mate of mine is a pretty senior coach, has big wraps on Tony Brown - and obviously JJ is getting plenty of kudos right now also.

As an aside, amd particularly after watching Samoa disappoint this RWC, it does jar that we have only played them 7 times in our history. 7 times despite our geographical proximity and our shared culture and transient people.

Feels very wrong.