Japan’s rugby players have their pride back, claims Eddie Jones

“One, to be the team of the tournament and, secondly, to make the quarter-finals”. But it’s actually in the tight that they are most resilient.

The fearless Blossoms, who beat South Africa in their opening match, led 20-0 at the break thanks to a penalty try, Akihito Yamada’s score and Ayumu Goromaru’s boot. “I know it’s going to be a long World Cup for us”. We have changed the history of rugby in Japan. They flew out of the blocks, looking refreshed, flinging it wide and harrying and haring over the park in tight and loose. “Whoever is in the best form has been given the nod by me”.

Jones, who steps down after the campaign ends to take over South African Super Rugby franchise Western Stormers, said the impact their exploits had had back home had been phenomenal. It appears that next week’s game against Samoa has been targeted more than this one, and that should add to the reasons the Boks should be favourites against a team that is admittedly strongly on the up at the moment.

It’s this simple: Samoa stank the place out. I’ve learnt masses from Eddie and he’s phenomenal, not just in his rugby experience but the way he challenges you and gives you responsibility. A couple of vintage counter-attacks started by (and one finished by) Paul Perez in the second-half helped them avoid being nilled for the first time since 1996, but there was little else to show.

Jones, who has an excellent World Cup pedigree having guided Australia to the 2003 final and been an adviser to the triumphant Springbok side in 2007, said that judging from the team selected by his Samoan counterpart Stephen Betham it was obvious the Pacific islanders are going for brute force over subtlety.

The 33-year-old – who was dropped to the bench for the loss to South Africa with Mike Stanley replacing him – needs 17 points to overhaul Earl Va’a (174) as Samoa’s highest-scoring test player.

Down to 13, Samoa desperately defended their line but the resistance finally crumbled in the 23rd minute when Japan opted for the scrum over a kick and were rewarded with a penalty try after their drive to the line was illegally hauled down. Goromaru’s fourth and last penalty extended his tournament-leading points tally to 45.

There were 38 turnovers, with Japan pinching Samoan ball 22 times.

Samoa T Nanai-Williams; K Pisi, P Perez, J Leota, A Tuilagi; T Pisi, K Fotuali’i; S Taualofo, O Avei, C Johnston, T Paulo, K Thompson, O Treviranus (capt), TJ Ioane, F Levave.