Rugby-Samoa rue poor discipline in World Cup defeat to Japan

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool D - Japan v Samoa - Stadium Municipal de Toulouse, Toulouse, France - September 28, 2023 Samoa's Jonathan Taumateine and Christian Leali'ifano in action with Japan's Lomano Lemeki REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

TOULOUSE, France (Reuters) - Poor discipline and a lack of execution were behind Samoa’s 28-22 loss to Japan in their Rugby World Cup Pool D clash on Thursday, which leaves their quarter-final hopes hanging by a thread.

Only an extraordinary set of results, including a bonus-point win over already qualified England in their final pool game on Oct. 7, will see Samoa advance, but the reality is they will likely be playing for pride in Lille.