Samoa vs Japan preview: What time does it start, what channel is it on and where can I watch it?
A look ahead to the Pool B fixture at Stadium MK
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Your support makes all the difference.A battle to come third in Pool B, while maintaining a hope to make it through to the quarter-finals, is at stake when Samoa face Japan on Saturday.
It’s a big game for…
Ayumu Goromaru: Currently the highest points scorer in the 2015 World Cup, he stands on the brink of 700 international points. Also worth mentioning Histoshi Ono, who extends his record as the most capped Japanese player.
Teams...
Samoa: Tim Nanai-Williams; Ken Pisi, Paul Perez, Johnny Leota, Alesana Tuilagi; Tusi Pisi, Kahn Fotuali’I; Faifili Levave, TJ Ioane, Ofisa Treviranus; Kane Thompson, Teofilo Paulo; Census Johnston, Ole Avei, Sakaria Taualofo.
Replacements: Motu Matu’u, Viliamu Afatia, Anthony Perenise, Jack Lam, Vavae Tuilagi, Vavao Afemai, Mike Stanley, Rey Lee-Lo.
Japan: Ayumu Goromaru; Akihito Yamada, Male Sau, Harumichi Tatekawa, Kotaro Matsushima; Kosei Ono, Fumiaki Tanaka; Ryu Koliniasi Holani, Michael Broadhurst, Michael Leitch; Hitoshi Ono, Luke Thompson; Kensuke Hatakeyama, Shota Horie, Keita Inagaki.
Replacements: Takeshi Kizu, Masataka Mikami, Hiroshi Yamashita, Justin Ives, Amanaki Lelei Mafi, Hendrik Tui, Atsushi Hiwasa, Karne Hesketh.
Best stat…
4.6: In fourteen games, Samoa have never failed to score a try against the Brave Blossoms and have averaged 4.6 per game.
Remember when…
Japan first demonstrated their power? The 2012 Pacific Nations Cup showed some of the beauty of the Japanese backs' play. Check out some of their set piece moves against Tonga and Samoa.
Player to watch…
Kahn Fotuali’i: The Samoan scrum half is a dangerous player at the best of times, but he’s shown at Northampton that he works well under pressure. One of the elder players of the Samoan side, he will be looked to for leadership and his quick taps and darting runs will always keep opposition teams on their toes.
Past three-meetings…
Japan 33 (Fujita (2), Matsushima) Samoa 14 (Otto, Va’aulu) Summer Internationals, June 2012.
Japan 26 (Tui, Kikutani (2), Hirose) Samoa 27 (Fotuali’i, Lemalu (2)) Pacific Nations Cup 2012.
Japan 15 (Holani, Usuzuki) Samoa 34 (Al. Tuilagi (2), Salavea, G. Pisi) Pacific Nations Cup 2011.
Form guide…
Samoa: WDWLWL
Japan: LLLLWL
Vital information…
Kick-off: 14.30 Saturday 3 October.
TV: Live on ITV, highlights on ITV.
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