How Ireland can reach quarter finals after Japan beat Samoa

Rugby World Cup: Fourth try at the death against Samoa means hosts stay in control of Pool A

Japan’s Kotaro Matsushima saw his side’s crucial fourth try against Samoa. Photograph: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty

Japan’s Kotaro Matsushima saw his side’s crucial fourth try against Samoa. Photograph: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP/Getty

The clock had gone red at the City of Toyota Stadium when Samoa - trailing 31-19 - were penalised in the shadow of their own posts.

Should they call it quits and boot the ball into touch, or tap and try and carry their way out of trouble, in desperate search of a losing bonus point? Neither.

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