TOULOUSE, France (AP) — Japan was limited to two backline changes for the must-win Rugby World Cup match against Samoa on Thursday.
Outside center Dylan Riley and fullback Lomano Lemeki were promoted from the bench on Tuesday after Japan lost to England 34-12 last week in Nice.
They replaced Tomoki Osada, who dropped to the reserves, and Semisi Masirewa, who suffered a tournament-ending leg injury against England.
The winner of the Japan-Samoa match will stay in contention for the quarterfinals while the loser's chances of advancing from Pool D will all but disappear.
In the last round of pool games, Japan faces Argentina, and Samoa plays England.
Samoa beat Japan 24-22 in July in Sapporo during the Pacific Nations Cup. Despite a 30th-minute red card for Michael Leitch, Japan led until just after an hour thanks to the unerring boot of Seungsin Lee.
Lee wasn't so accurate from the tee in following games and he was replaced as the starting flyhalf. But he's come into the reserves and could make his Rugby World Cup debut.
___
Japan: Lomani Lemeki, Kotaro Matsushima, Dylan Riley, Ryoto Nakamura, Jone Naikabula, Rikiya Matsuda, Yutaka Nagare; Kazuki Himeno (captain), Pieter Labuschagne, Michael Leitch, Amato Fakatava, Jack Cornelsen, Gu Jiwon, Shota Horie, Keita Inagaki. Reserves: Atsushi Sakate, Craig Millar, Asaeli Ai Valu, Warner Dearns, Kanji Shimokawa, Naoto Saito, Seungsin Lee, Tomoki Osada.
___
AP Rugby World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
