Beat Samoa or bust for Japan, admits Jones

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Beat Samoa or bust for Japan, admits Jones

Japan's Ayumu Goromaru speaks to the media. - Reuters

Gloucester - Whilst Japan gave as good as they got from the initially one-dimensional Scots, their energy faded after an hour in the Pool B match.

By AFP

Published: Fri 25 Sep 2015, 4:13 PM

Battered giantkillers Japan are now under orders from coach Eddie Jones to beat Samoa to keep alive their hopes of reaching the World Cup quarterfinals.
Jones set the new target after the Brave Blossoms - heroes of a stunning 34-32 win over South Africa - came brutally back to earth with a 45-10 hammering by Scotland on Wednesday. Whilst Japan gave as good as they got from the initially one-dimensional Scots, their energy faded after an hour in the Pool B match.
Jones, who will leave the Japan post to take over at the South African Super Rugby franchise Western Stormers post the World Cup, would not use the Japan's restricted four day rest from the South Africa win as an excuse.
However, he highlighted the added significance of the Samoan match in Milton Keynes on October 3 in his bid to guide the 2019 World Cup hosts to their first ever appearance in the knockout stages. "If we can knock Samoa off in 10 days then we have a terrrific chance, if we don't then we're cooked," said Jones.
Samoa's match with South Africa on Saturday could also be key to Japan's fortunes.
"The Samoans could come out of the match with the Springboks bruised and battered. That match will be a bit like a Ultimate Fighting Championship fight with a fair of bit of Springbok power coming forward at the Samoans.
Jones is also looking to the South Africans to do him a favour. He needs them to beat both Samoa and Scotland, ensuring the top two places remain wide open going into Japan's final pool game against the United States.
Jones was not certain the Scots are capable of beating the 'Boks.
"I think South Africa will really bounce," said Jones.