10 Oct 2019

Rugby World Cup: Safety paramount as typhoon hits Japan - Hansen

From Checkpoint, 6:10 pm on 10 October 2019

The All Blacks will go 13 days without a Rugby World Cup match after World Rugby made the unprecedented decision to cancel their final pool game against Italy on Saturday as Japan braces for super typhoon Hagibis.

France's match against England has also been cancelled and depending on the severity and damage caused by the typhoon, Scotland's must-win match against hosts Japan in what has been dubbed the 'Pool of Death' will have anxious fans on the edge of their seats.

Scotland currently sit third in Pool A and a cancelled game this Sunday would more than likely keep them out of the quarter finals.

England, France and New Zealand, will not play again until the quarter finals, which kick off on Saturday 19 October, while the Italian team will now be packing its bags for home.

Each team has already been awarded two points as this weekend's cancelled matches were considered by World Rugby as a draw.

The typhoon is expected to bring Tokyo to a standstill this weekend with a mass disruption to public transport.

Fans have been warned to stay indoors until the typhoon passes.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen told a press conference in the last hour, the team found out this morning the game had been cancelled.

He said he respected the decision and it was a 'no brainer' because the safety of all players and fans is paramount.

He said the All Blacks were prepared for all possibilities.