Toyota City (Japan) (AFP)

The exploit against Ireland is over, the summit against Scotland arrives ... But in the meantime, Japan, worn by a whole country, must beat Samoa, Saturday (12:30 French) to Toyota, to maintain the dream a historic qualification for the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

A victory would indeed allow the Brave Blossoms, who remain on a feat against Ireland (19-12), to take a big step towards the quarter-finals, which they missed in 2015 despite the "miracle of Brighton" in front of South Africa (34-23).

"We hope to be able to aim for the bonus point, but first we have to do the job and win this match," said winger Kotaro Matsushima.

Loud and clear. Especially as the Cherry Blossoms refuse to project on the next match.

"At the moment, we do not think of Scotland (October 13), we are focused on the match against Samoa," warned the left pillar Keita Inagaki earlier this week.

The Samoans, precisely, play the referees in Pool A since, after falling against the Scots (34-0), they will challenge the Japanese, before finishing against the Irish.

"They lost to Scotland, they will want to catch up," Japan coach Jamie Joseph said.

"These last few times have been complicated, but it's the kind of thing that brings a team together, so we're expecting a complicated match, very physical," he added.

- Samoan indiscipline -

Proof of the importance of this meeting, the "talisman" Michael Leitch was recalled in the starting XV, having started on the bench against Ireland.

"To be mentally ready will be essential, we have to think that we are starting from scratch, Samoa have lost their last meeting and they will play with pride against Japan, we must be able to counter them by being exemplary. of steel otherwise we will be under pressure, "says the experienced third line (30 years, 65 selections).

The Samoans have won eleven of their last fifteen oppositions but their last success on Japan goes back to 2012. And to hope to interrupt the bad series, they must make progress in the field of discipline (4 yellow cards in the first 2 matches) .

"We can not afford to play forty minutes in two games with only thirteen or fourteen players on the pitch, let alone win," said coach Steve Jackson.

"We must be smart in our decision making when we do not have the ball."

Composition of the teams of Japan and Samoa, who compete Saturday (12:30 French) to Toyota in Rugby World Cup:

Japan: Yamanaka - Matsushima, Lafaele, Nakamura, Lava Lemeki - (o) Tamura, (m) Nagare - Labuschagne, Himeno, Leitch - Moore, Van der Walt - Koo, Sakate, Inagaki

Samoa: Nanai - Williams - Tuala, Leiua, Taefu, Fidow - (o) Seuteni, (m) Polataivao - TJ Ioane, J. Lam, Vui - Leaupepe, Faasalele - Alaalatoa, S. Lam, Jo. Lay

Referee: Mr. Peyper (RSA)

replacements:

Japan: Horie, Nakajima, Ai Valu, Helu, Tui, Tanaka, Matsuda, Fukuoka

Samoa: Niuia, Alo-Emile, Ja. Lay, Toleafoa, Tyrell, Cowley, T. Pisi, Fonotia

© 2019 AFP