Japan retained their unbeaten status at the Rugby World Cup when they notched a 38-19 win over Samoa at City of Toyota Stadium on Saturday.

In a fast-paced and entertaining encounter, momentum between the sides ebbed and flowed throughout but the Brave Blossoms held a slight edge throughout and secured the win despite a brave effort from their opponents.

Yu Tamura led the way for Japan with an 18-point haul after kicking three conversions and four penalties while Timothy Lafaele, Kazuki Himeno, Kenki Fukuoka and Kotaro Matsushima scored their tries.

Henry Taefu scored all Samoa’s points courtesy of a converted try and four penalties.

The Brave Blossoms made a terrific start and were up 6-0 after eight minutes courtesy of two penalties from Tamura, but Samoa reduced the deficit when Taefu also slotted a three-pointer off the kicking tee in the 10th minute.

With points on the board, the Pacific Islanders’ confidence started to grow and they dominated proceedings over the next 10 minutes. They drew level in the 16th minute when Taefu added his second penalty after Michael Leitch infringed at a ruck.

Japan regained the lead when Tamura succeeded with his third penalty in the 25th minute and Samoa were dealt a further setback shortly afterwards when TJ Ioane was yellow carded for a late and dangerous tackle on Matsushima.

The Brave Blossoms made full use of their numerical advantage as they started to run the ball from all areas of the field. That tactic reaped reward shortly after Ioane’s exit when Matsushima put his side on the front-foot with a brilliant run deep inside Samoa’s 22. He was eventually brought to ground close to his opponents’ try-line but the ball was recycled quickly and shifted wide to Lafaele, who crossed for the opening try.

Tamura added the extras but five minutes later Taefu reduced the deficit with his third penalty and the teams changed sides at half-time with Japan holding a 16-9 lead.

Japan had a chance to extend their lead five minutes into the second half when Tamura lined up another penalty but his effort was wide of the mark. Luckily for the World Cup hosts, the Pacific Islanders continued to concede penalties and in the 51st minute Tamura made up for his earlier miss when he succeeded with his fourth three-pointer off the kicking tee.

Soon after, Japan extended their lead when Himeno crossed the whitewash off the back off a lineout drive inside Samoa’s 22. Tamura’s conversion was successful but the next 20 minutes proved to be an arm wrestle with Samoa coming back strongly during that period.

And in the 73rd minute, the Pacific Islanders launched an attack from a lineout on Japan’s five-metre line and Taefu rounded off from close range after Kane Le’aupepe and Jack Lam came to the fore with strong carries in the build-up.

Japan finished the stronger, however, and were soon on the attack deep inside Samoa’s half. And after several phases, the ball was taken out wide to Fukuoka, who crossed for their third try in the 76th minute.

The closing stages was a tense affair as Japan went in search of the bonus-point try and they achieved that feat when Matsushima crossed the whitewash late on.

The result means the Brave Blossoms move above Ireland into top spot in Pool A which sets them up nicely ahead of their final pool match against Scotland in Yokohama on October 13.