Samoa overcame 14-man Japan and a shambolic lineout to win their Pacific Nations Cup test 24-22 on Saturday, just two months before they meet again in the Rugby World Cup.
Despite a red card for flanker Michael Leitch in the 30th minute, Japan led most of the match under the Sapporo Dome thanks to the boot of Seungsin Lee. However the flyhalf struggled to unleash his backline. Debut lock Amato Fakatava finished Japan’s only try in the sixth minute.
Samoa got tries from flanker Alamanda Motuga, scrumhalf Jonathan Taumateine and left-wing Tumua Manu.
Manu beat Kotaro Matsushima to tie the score at 22, and former Wallaby Christian Leali’ifano’s third conversion put them in front with 17 minutes to go.
SOURCE: AP
