Host Japan has taken the next step in the Rugby World Cup on the way to the quarter-finals. The "Cherry Blossom" won against Samoa 38:19 (16: 9) and took over with the third victory in the third game, the leaders in the group A.
Because the Japanese team secured at least four attempts an offensive bonus point, it is about to move into the knockout phase for the first time. Japan can only retire if Scotland win against Russia next Wednesday, Ireland beat Samoa and Japan lose more than seven points in the final group match against the Scots. Defeats with a difference of up to seven points will give the losing team a defensive bonus point.
The first and second placed from each of the five five-seasons move into the quarter-finals. All information and results of the Rugby World Cup can be found here.
One of the best Japanese was Kotaro Matsushima, who ran 110 meters against Samoa - more than double Samoa's best player, Ed Fidow. Already in the opening match of the World Cup Matshushima had shown a strong game with three tries.
England - Argentina 39:10 (15: 3)
The English have already made it to the quarterfinals. Against Argentina, the preliminary decision fell in the 17th minute, when the Argentinian Tomas Lavinini saw a red card for a tackling against the head of his opponent.
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Tomas Lavanini saw red and left the field in tears
Lavinini left the lawn in tears, perhaps already suspecting what his team was expecting: The defeat left the South Americans out. Most recently, Argentina did not qualify for the World Cup quarter-finals in 2003. England subsequently claimed their third win in the third game and is still alive.
Australia - Uruguay 45:10 (19: 3)
Although Australia has prevailed against Uruguay, but still has to fulfill its duty. In the final group match, the Wallabies will have to win against Georgia to secure the quarter-finals.
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New
The Australians wore a jersey with a native-inspired design for the first time in a win against Uruguay. "It shows that we all represent Australians, including - and this is important - the Aborigines," said Kurtley Bale, the only Aboriginal player in the title favorites. So far, only 14 Aborigines in history played for the Australian rugby selection.
