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Samoa take on Japan in the first of three games on Saturday as the Samoans look to at least temporarily leapfrog South Africa into second place in Pool B. Join The Roar for a live blog of the game from 11:30am AEST.
After seeing off the USA in their opening Pool B encounter in Brighton, the Samoans were outclassed by a much improved South African side last weekend at Villa Park as the Springboks got their World Cup campaign back on track after a shock loss to Japan in their opening game.
Ill-discipline and a lack of penetration cost the Samoans in what was a bruising encounter in Birmingham where the Samoans showed that they were more than capable of matching it with the bigger teams physically, yet technically were clearly outmatched.
Blindside flanker TJ Ioane put in some bone-jarring hits on Adrian Strauss, Schalk Burger and many other Springboks and while the Samoans are renowned for their confrontational, unapologetic physical style of rugby, it’ll be the creativity and spark of fullback Tim Nanai-Williams that they will need the most as they try and unlock a fiery and determined Japanese side.
Nanai-Williams was one of the bright spots in the heavy defeat to the Springboks and after some uncertainty surrounding his left knee earlier this week, the Chiefs fullback has declared himself good to go and has been buoyed by the attacking license that coach Stephen Betham has granted the 26-year-old utility back.
“I’m good to go,” said Nanai-Williams at the pre-match press conference.
“I’m feeling good. I had to stay off it for a couple of days during the week. Just got a little strapping on and had bit of a strain. It was a test day today.
“I don’t feel any extra attention. I’m soaking up every moment and the coaches are giving me the licence to play my natural game.”
Nanai-Williams hasn’t exactly had to twist Betham’s arm into granting the New Zealand-born flyer an attacking license as his man of the match performance against the USA, one try scored, nine defenders beaten and 145 metres made has made it a somewhat easy decision for Betham to let his star fullback roam freely.
Meanwhile, Japan coach Eddie Jones will want his side to play with just as much freedom as Betham has placed on Nanai-Williams as the Blossoms look to avoid a physical game with Samoa and as Jones puts it – ‘win with jabs as opposed to knockouts.’
After stunning two-time world champions South Africa in their opening game, Japan failed to get out of the starting blocks against Scotland as Vern Cotter’s side comfortably dispatched the Japanese 45-10 in Gloucester.
Jones knows the Japanese must win if they are to reach their pre-tournament goal of making the quarter-finals and wants to see his side throw the ball around in an effort to combat the Samoans’ physical style of play.
“We need to move the ball around,” said Jones. “They want to wrestle and we don’t want to wrestle. They want to put us up against the ropes, we want to be coming jib and jab style, moving. It’s as simple as that.
“We want to win points with jabs, they (Samoa) want to win with knockouts.
“Before the tournament our target was to reach the quarter-finals and everyone thought that was a joke and now we have put ourselves in a position to do that. If we do that, we can win even more fans in Japan. Twenty million people watched the Scotland game. That’s the population of Australia including all the kangaroos.”
Samoa have made five changes to the side that lost to South Africa last weekend with lock Kane Thompson getting his first start of the tournament and competing in his third World Cup after returning from suspension.
Meanwhile, the Japanese have also made five changes as Kensuke Hatakeyama replaces Hiroshi Yamashita at tighthead prop, lock Hitoshi Ono extends his record as Japan’s most capped player to 96 by starting ahead of Justin Ives, and Ryu Koliniasi Holani is at No 8, with Amanaki Lelei Mafi in the reserves after being carried off against Scotland.
Join The Roar for a live blog of the game from 11:30am AEST.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.