Niël Terblanché
WORLD Rugby and the Japan 2019 Organising Committee have cancelled the Rugby World Cup 2019 Pool B match between Namibia and Canada in Kamaishi due to safety concerns.
Kamaishi is situated in a mountainous area, which includes mountains directly behind the main stand of the stadium. There have been landslides and flooding in the vicinity of the stadium and along access roads to the venue following torrential rain throughout the night in Japan.
Typhoon Hagibis is one of the most powerful storms to hit Japan in decades and safety considerations are at the heart of the decision.
During the announcement World Rugby Chief Operating Officer and Tournament Director Alan Gilpin said: “The safety of teams, fans, volunteers and workforce is our number one priority. Following strong direction from the Prefecture of Iwate and the City of Kamaishi, we were left with no option but to cancel the match on safety grounds.”
Gilpin said the organisers remain optimistic that Sunday’s remaining matches will go ahead as scheduled in Kumamoto, Hanazono and Yokohama, which are much further south and therefore outside of the impact of the storm conditions.
Source: rugbyworldcup.com
