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England-France could be played behind closed doors
England’s crunch Rugby World Cup Pool match with France could be played behind closed doors if it is not cancelled altogether.
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Scotland’s crucial match with hosts Japan is also set to effected by superstorm Typhoon Hagibis – aka Typhoon Haggis – which is approaching the island nation and is expected to make landfall this weekend.
French media are reporting that the matches between the four sides are to be cancelled altogether. This move would see each game deemed a draw by World Rugby, with each side receiving two points each.
This would see Japan qualify as top of Pool A, with Ireland coming in second if they secure no less than a losing bonus point versus Samoa in Fukuoka.
England and France sharing two points would see both qualify for the quarter-finals, with England going through as the winner of Pool C.
(Continue reading below…)
Meanwhile a number of English newspapers are writing that the England-France game could be moved to Oita on the island of Kyushu if it isn’t cancelled.
RugbyPass understands that the games will not be cancelled, but rather played behind closed doors in yet to be decided venues, a move that is set to be confirmed on Thursday.
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It would see unprecedented scenes with Rugby World Cup matches being played in empty venues with no fans present. Both roofed stadiums – Oita and Kobe – would be potentially free to host the games.
World Rugby is set to make an announcement on Thursday outlining its contingency plans. They will host a press briefing at 12:00 on October 10 to provide “an update relating to the anticipated impact of Typhoon Hagibis on the final round of Rugby World Cup 2019 pool matches this weekend”.
Meanwhile on the other side of the globe, Super Typhoon #Hagibis in tropical Western Pacific is sporting 160 mph Cat 5 winds & raked N'rn Mariana Islands today, but well north of Guam.
This storm is expected to impact Japan Friday into the weekend as a category 2 or 3 storm. pic.twitter.com/DvjqeRn0b3
— Rob Perillo (@robperillo) October 7, 2019
Gregor Townsend fears Scotland may be forced to find an alternative venue for Sunday’s make-or-break World Cup showdown with Japan as Typhoon Hagibis prepares to batter Yokohama.
Hagibis has escalated from a tropical storm into a category five super typhoon with winds reaching 180mph. Experts says it has undergone one of the most dramatic intensifications of any tropical cyclone since records began.
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The storm is many times the dimensions of Typhoon Faxai, which brought Tokyo to a standstill last month, left three dead and a million homes without power.
Scotland ran riot, and if it wasn't for a few questionable forward pass calls would have doubled Ireland's score against the same opposition.#RWC2019 https://t.co/R9HOydlgod
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 9, 2019
Now Townsend – whose side must beat Japan to claim a place in the quarter-finals – is waiting to hear what move the tournament organisers will take.
“I checked the weather app (on Wednesday morning), about eight hours ago, and it did look like it was heading into Tokyo this weekend unless it has changed since then,” said the head coach said after his side’s rout of Russia.
“It is a few days away and it could miss the Tokyo area, or it could still go there and obviously we’ll be getting updates from World Rugby in the next two days as to what the contingencies are.
“We’ve had contact to say there will be an update over the next 24 to 48 hours, so I’m sure that alternative venues and arrangements are being looked at not just for our game but the other games that could be affected by it. England and France play in the same stadium the night before.
A decision is likely by Thursday on whether England and France can go ahead as scheduled in Yokohama or will be beaten by a typhoonhttps://t.co/GcZjGcfPyp
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 9, 2019
“I know it was getting looked at for the Ireland game as well when the forecast was that it was going to Fukuoka.”
– Additional reporting PA
Comments on RugbyPass
Loose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
9 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
1 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
9 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
9 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
19 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to commentsWhen you look at Australian Rugby you can see the talent coming through. There’s young players everywhere. They have the makings of a strong Wallaby team for years to come if they trust their young players. There might be some short term pain but after 30 or 40 caps together a Wallaby group comprised of the current youngsters will really be top class. It seems like the threat of going under has focused the Rebels both on and off the field. They are having a go like a team with nothing to lose and winning back the fans whilst silencing their detractors. Its funny how an existential threat can spur a team on to new highs. Taking rugby back to the communities will help to build support and create a true team for the community and one rooted into it. It may just work and save the Rebels and if they can get the financing then maybe let them have a go at reinvention. I do feel though that Australian Rugby has one too many franchises. If the Rebels die all these solid young players get infused into other franchises who will have more money, depth and resources. It would make the Australian Rugby franchises so much stronger and they may come to achieve parity with the best franchises from NZ. Super Rugby is throwing up some really entertaining games. Not too much good defence but certainly high pace, try scoring magic on display. Melbourne are no exception to this.
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