World Cup organisers have alerted Namibia and Canada about the potential of a match cancellation, but there were some encouraging signs in Yokohama on the eve of the Scotland-Japan clash.
The powerful typhoon Hagibis slammed into Japan on Saturday, and has reportedly already claimed a life as authorities issued their highest level of disaster warning over ‘unprecedented’ downpours that caused flooding and landslides.
Even before making landfall, Hagibis caused widespread disruption, leading to the cancellation of two Rugby World Cup matches, while delaying the Japanese Grand Prix and grounding all flights in the Tokyo region.
Organisers have now warned Namibia and Canada about the ‘potential of cancellation’ for their final pool game, which was set to take place at the Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium on Sunday (5.15am SA time).
‘We have advised the Namibia and Canada teams of the current situation and potential of cancellation, and our message to fans not currently in Kamaishi is not to travel before confirmation of the match status following a full assessment of the venue and associated infrastructure early on Sunday morning,’ a World Rugby statement reads.
Hagibis settling down as forecast here in Yokohama at 22.30 Still plenty of time to sort out #SCOvJAP @rugbyworldcup @RugbySco pic.twitter.com/he2ABE98vL
— DW (@Wrighty2012) October 12, 2019
This was Yokohama Stadium at 5pm today. Japan and Scotland are scheduled to play there tomorrow. The bit that looks like a river is a javelin throwing area. The eye of Typhoon Hagibis arrived at 9pm. #RWC2019 #TyphoonHagibis https://t.co/7NnXJW8F4Y
— James Cole (@jamescolesky) October 12, 2019
11pm Yokohama…. wind dropping, clear skies ….. pic.twitter.com/IpVzJDKHLR
— Rowen Shepherd (@rowenshepherd) October 12, 2019