2019 Rugby World Cup

Stargazer

Official World Rugby Statement

TYPHOON HAGIBIS IMPACT ON RUGBY WORLD CUP 2019 MATCHES

World Rugby and the Japan Rugby 2019 Organising Committee have announced an update regarding the predicted impact of Typhoon Hagibis on this weekend’s pool matches. This includes the cancellation of two matches on safety grounds.

TOKYO, 10 Oct - After extensive evaluation, World Rugby and the Japan Rugby 2019 Organising Committee have announced an update regarding the predicted impact of Typhoon Hagibis on this weekend’s Rugby World Cup 2019 pool matches. This includes the decision to cancel matches on safety grounds.

Based on the latest detailed information from the tournament’s independent weather experts, Hagibis is predicted to be the biggest typhoon of the 2019 season and is highly likely to cause considerable disruption in the Tokyo, Yokohama and City of Toyota areas throughout Saturday, including likely public transport shutdown or disruption.

As a result, World Rugby and the Japan Rugby 2019 Organising Committee have taken the difficult, but right decision to cancel matches in the affected areas on safety grounds. The impacted teams have been informed and are understanding. For matches that do not go ahead as scheduled, two points will be awarded to each team in line with tournament rules.

It is an exceptional, complex and rapidly evolving situation and team and public safety is the number one priority. This has been central in all decision-making in partnership with the tournament’s weather information experts, host cities, venues and teams.

Based on the latest detailed weather information, the following update is provided:

Friday, 11 October

Pool D match between Australia and Georgia in Shizuoka at 19:15 JST to be played as scheduled

Saturday, 12 October

Pool A match between Ireland and Samoa in Fukuoka at 19:45 JST to be played as scheduled

Pool B match between New Zealand and Italy to be cancelled

Pool C match between England and France to be cancelled

The decision to cancel matches has not been taken lightly and has been made in the best interests of public, team, tournament personnel and volunteer safety, based on expert advice and detailed weather information. While we have extensively explored all options, public and team safety was our utmost priority as well as ensuring a consistent, fair and equitable outcome for all teams. All fans with tickets for a cancelled match will receive a full refund for the face value of their match tickets.

Sunday, 13 October
*Every effort is being made to ensure Sunday’s matches will be played as scheduled. A thorough assessment of venues will take place after the typhoon has passed before a final decision is made on Sunday morning.

Based on the advice of government authorities and experts, World Rugby and the Japan Rugby 2019 Organising Committee are advising fans in the Tokyo, Yokohama and City of Toyota areas to stay indoors on Saturday, not to travel and to keep monitoring the official Rugby World Cup 2019 digital and social channels, including the RWC 2019 Fan Information Twitter handle @Japan2019_ENG for regular updates.

World Rugby Chief Operating Officer and Tournament Director Alan Gilpin said when addressing the media: “This is a complex and dynamic situation which we have been monitoring extremely closely with the assistance of our weather information experts. We are now in a position to accurately predict the likely impact of Typhoon Hagibis on Rugby World Cup fixtures this weekend.

“While making every possible effort to put in place a contingency plan that would enable all of Saturday’s matches to be played, it would be grossly irresponsible to leave teams, fans, volunteers and other tournament personnel exposed during what is predicted to be a severe typhoon.

“As a result, we have taken the decision to cancel some matches in order to ensure the safety of all involved. It is the right thing to do, and comes with the support of all stakeholders, including the teams.

“We fully appreciate that England, France, New Zealand and Italy fans will be disappointed, but we trust they will appreciate that their safety must come first. They will be entitled to a full refund on their match tickets.

“Our message for all fans in Japan for Rugby World Cup is to heed all official advice, stay indoors throughout Saturday and do not attempt to travel on the day.”

gt12

Hold on, and now they say that they'll delay games on Sunday if needed.

Well, how do they know that these games on Saturday can't be played at different times?

gt12

This is complete shit, they say that other venues aren't available, but they could have and should have easily been able to have those ready if they had done their planning properly!

All you need to do is ask any idiot (like me) who lives in Japan about where the least likely place would be and you'd hear Hokkaido!! Fuck me.

taniwharugby

Very strange to cancel those 2 games 48 hours out, but games on Sunday will be decided in 48 hours and possibly delayed?

Are the AB-Ita, Eng-Fra games deemed pointless enough they can be cancelled?

Feel for the poor buggars that have travelled from Eng/NZ/Fra/Ita to see their team play...

antipodean

It's shit, but I have some sympathy given the path of the super typhoon, the timing and the lack of available options.

Hopefully the Japan v Scotland fixture still goes ahead.

Bovidae

The late slot is available on the Sunday if a game needs to be delayed.

Stargazer

https://twitter.com/Lovelyhoneybees/status/1182095382420963328

Chris

@Stargazer said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

https://twitter.com/Lovelyhoneybees/status/1182095382420963328

Note to one self do not Rent a Van when visiting Japan.

Higgins

Bit off topic, but still typhoon related, but has anyone heard whether the Japanese F1 Grand Prix will still be going ahead this weekend?

antipodean

@Higgins said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

Bit off topic, but still typhoon related, but has anyone heard whether the Japanese F1 Grand Prix will still be going ahead this weekend?

Literally just read they're "closely monitoring" it.

canefan

If the people in Japan wake to Sunshine and calm on Sunday I expect organizers to take the appropriate personal action

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Nepia

@canefan said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

If the people in Japan wake to Sunshine and calm on Sunday I expect organizers to take the appropriate personal action

Yeah, why make the decision now whereas in 24 hours we might know for sure if it's going to hit - does 24 hours make a difference in cancelling the game?

canefan

@Nepia said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@canefan said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

If the people in Japan wake to Sunshine and calm on Sunday I expect organizers to take the appropriate personal action

Yeah, why make the decision now whereas in 24 hours we might know for sure if it's going to hit - does 24 hours make a difference in cancelling the game?

You can't tell me they don't have other stadia. They have suspended the baseball season too so there must be lots of domes around standing empty

Rapido

@canefan said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@Nepia said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@canefan said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

If the people in Japan wake to Sunshine and calm on Sunday I expect organizers to take the appropriate personal action

Yeah, why make the decision now whereas in 24 hours we might know for sure if it's going to hit - does 24 hours make a difference in cancelling the game?

You can't tell me they don't have other stadia. They have suspended the baseball season too so there must be lots of domes around standing empty

WHo has suspended the baseball season? and why?

canefan

@Rapido said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@canefan said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@Nepia said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@canefan said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

If the people in Japan wake to Sunshine and calm on Sunday I expect organizers to take the appropriate personal action

Yeah, why make the decision now whereas in 24 hours we might know for sure if it's going to hit - does 24 hours make a difference in cancelling the game?

You can't tell me they don't have other stadia. They have suspended the baseball season too so there must be lots of domes around standing empty

WHo has suspended the baseball season? and why?

I might have misread, but when I was looking at the fixture list there was no baseball being played in Tokyo through the RWC, but I thought I saw dates for the playoffs after the cup. Feel free to correct me....

antipodean

@canefan said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@Nepia said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@canefan said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

If the people in Japan wake to Sunshine and calm on Sunday I expect organizers to take the appropriate personal action

Yeah, why make the decision now whereas in 24 hours we might know for sure if it's going to hit - does 24 hours make a difference in cancelling the game?

You can't tell me they don't have other stadia. They have suspended the baseball season too so there must be lots of domes around standing empty

They were playing while I was there a week ago. They're playing the finals now.

canefan

@antipodean said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@canefan said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@Nepia said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@canefan said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

If the people in Japan wake to Sunshine and calm on Sunday I expect organizers to take the appropriate personal action

Yeah, why make the decision now whereas in 24 hours we might know for sure if it's going to hit - does 24 hours make a difference in cancelling the game?

You can't tell me they don't have other stadia. They have suspended the baseball season too so there must be lots of domes around standing empty

They were playing while I was there a week ago. They're playing the finals now.

Oh ok, the onseller site I was looking at doesnt offer finals tickets. There appears to be another competition in November?

sparky

Cancelling Rugby games because of a little bit of wind? Has everyone gone as soft as sh*te?

canefan

@sparky said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

Cancelling Rugby games because of a little bit of wind? Has everyone gone as soft as sh*te?

They never would have played a game at Athletic Park with that attitude!

sparky

@canefan said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

@sparky said in 2019 Rugby World Cup:

Cancelling Rugby games because of a little bit of wind? Has everyone gone as soft as sh*te?

They never would have played a game at Athletic Park with that attitude!

Yep, I'd have thought the breeze was a great example of Japanese hospitality, making the guys from Wellington feel like they're back home.

The Silver Fern

2019 Rugby World Cup