Samoa men into top ten of world rankings again – Rugby World

With the Rugby World Cup warm-ups now underway, Samoa acquired off to a successful begin by beating Japan 24-22 in Sapporo. And in doing so, ensured that Manu Samoa are into the highest ten of the world rankings for the primary time in eight years.

After Japan misplaced former captain Michael Leitch to a crimson card, following a excessive shot on  So’otala Fa’aso’o, Samoa had a golden alternative. However at 10-10 at half-time, it regarded like laborious work… With the boot of Seungsin Lee serving Japan nicely.

Nonetheless, tries from Alamanda Motuga, Jonathan Taumateine and Tumua Manu, plus three conversions and penalty for debutant  Christian Lealiifano edged the sport in Samoa’s favour.

How are Samoa into high ten of world rankings once more?

Below the stewardship of  Seilala Mapusua, the crew have recorded seven wins. This contains victories over Australia A, Tonga, Fiji, Georgia and Romania, in addition to this win over Japan.

Japan now swap locations, with them into twelfth within the rankings. Georgia sit at eleventh.

In line with World Rugby, “The Pacific Island nation final discovered themselves in that place (tenth within the rankings) on the eve of Rugby World Cup 2015 and have been down as little as seventeenth within the intervening years.”

Additionally on the weekend, Fiji bested Tonga 36-20 at Churchill Park in Lautoka. Nonetheless, regardless of that end result, each stay the place they have been on the planet rankings, with Fiji staying put in thirteenth and Tonga sustaining their place at 15 on the board.

Obtain the digital version of Rugby World straight to your pill or subscribe to the print version to get the journal delivered to your door.

Comply with Rugby World on Fb, Instagram and Twitter.