Safety first but World Rugby's lack of a contingency plan must be questioned - Andy Goode
People’s safety absolutely has to be paramount but it’s only natural to question World Rugby’s contingency plans when simply awarding two points each is the end result.
It’s one thing when it’s England vs France and both teams have already qualified but Italy have had their opportunity of qualifying for the knockout stages for the first time in their history taken away from them.
Of course, they were extremely unlikely to beat the All Blacks and make it to a quarter-final but that’s not the point. It’s a sport and you can’t just write off their chances. There could have been a red card in the opening few minutes and they might have played the game of their lives.
Sergio Parisse’s reaction was punchy and I don’t agree that it would be different if it was New Zealand needing to win, but you can understand his frustration and you have to feel for the Italians on a personal level as well.
It would probably have been Parisse’s final game for the Azzurri, certainly his last at a World Cup, and Alessandro Zanni and Leonardo Ghiraldini are in a similar boat.
(Continue reading below…)
Ghiraldini was due to make a 20-minute cameo appearance against the All Blacks to cap off a 15-year international career after months of battling back from an awful injury, so it’s no wonder tears were shed when that was taken away from him.
It wasn’t possible for anyone to predict the sheer scale of Typhoon Hagibis but organisers did know these storms were probable at this time of year, so it’s just a question of whether the contingency plans are appropriate.
Clearly, World Rugby haven’t taken any of these decisions lightly and they have far more information at their disposal than the rest of us looking on from afar. They are also correct that all teams were aware of the rules prior to the tournament but just cancelling games isn’t a great look for the tournament.
'Never once in its 32-year history has a fixture been cancelled and it has opened a Pandora’s Box of issues that may yet come back to bite the organisers.'
– RugbyPass columnist @OwainJTJones on the unprecedented turn of events in Japan #rwc2019 https://t.co/CVDyhNRbIF
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 10, 2019
It may well be that the amount of devastation and disruption that Typhoon Hagibis leaves in its wake means none of these games could realistically be played even a couple of days later anyway but you can’t help feeling that should be a possibility.
It’s a very difficult situation for everyone concerned but postponing the games in the first instance, especially New Zealand vs Italy and Japan vs Scotland where qualification is up for grabs, rather than cancelling them (a final decision is, of course, still awaited on the Japan-Scotland game) would have been preferable.
It’s also particularly difficult to understand why there are different contingency plans in place for the knockout stages compared to pool games. That just doesn’t seem right when some of these are effectively knockout matches.
The latest in the war of words between the Scottish Rugby Union and World Rugby regarding the typhoon-threatened Scotland-Japan World Cup match https://t.co/OfEjivvRan
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 11, 2019
Italians might not be too happy that extra time is being given before making a decision on Scotland vs Japan compared to their game against New Zealand, but everyone is hoping it can go ahead. It looks like there may even be legal implications from a Scotland perspective if it doesn’t.
You can see their point that there should be a bit of flexibility in the schedule in extreme examples such as these, even though there are huge logistical difficulties associated with moving either the date or location of a game.
Scotland may yet not be affected but it’s already too late for Italy. They have had their chance of qualification, however slim it might have been, taken away from them and that leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
WATCH: Scotland’s Gregor Townsend on his belief that Sunday’s World Cup match with Japan will still be played
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments