In their infinite wisdom, World Rugby chose to schedule the World Cup in a country that is prone to typhoons at this time of year, and to make absolutely no contingency plans should a typhoon threaten.
In a development that appears to have taken the organisers completely by surprise, there is a typhoon headed in Japan’s direction, and two matches have been cancelled, with Japan v Scotland still in doubt.
France will miss out on the possibility of beating England to top their group, and Italy will miss out on a historic chance to beat the All-Blacks and progress to the quarter-finals for the first time.
All right, nobody thinks that Italy would have beaten New Zealand, but it’s a funny old game and a couple of red cards, or another sneaky peek at the rule-book, could have produced the upset of the century. Apparently we’ll never know.
As Parisse said:
“It is ridiculous that a decision of this nature has been made because it isn’t like the fans arrived yesterday. It is ridiculous that there was no plan B, because it isn’t news that typhoons hit Japan.
“Sure everyone might think that Italy versus New Zealand being cancelled counts for nothing because we’d have lost anyway, but we deserved to be respected as a team. We had the chance to play in a big stadium, against a great team.
“The alternative is plan B. When you organise a World Cup you should have one in place.”
Should the Japan v Scotland match be cancelled, all three teams in Pool A contention will have reason to feel aggrieved also: Scotland for obvious reasons, Japan because it is not the way you’d want to go through, and Ireland because they miss the chance to top the pool (that being in Scotland’s gift, rather than Ireland’s hands, of course).
Quite frankly, World Cup should be handed a red card for bringing the game into disrepute. Players and fans alike (and no doubt the sponsors too) are rightly furious.
These matches should be rescheduled in alternative locations.
Last weekend’s rugby
For a rundown on the state of play as of 07/10, please see Deebee’s excellent synopsis.
On the telly this week … or not
Friday 11th October
| Australia 27 – 8 Georgia | 11:15 | ITV4 |
| Cheetahs 40 – 16 Munster | 17:15 | Premier Sports 1 |
| Dragons 14 – 38 Connacht | 19:35 | Premier Sports 2 / TG4 / S4C |
| Leinster 40 – 14 Edinburgh | 19:35 | Premier Sports 1 |
| Gloucester 24 – 26 Bath | 19:45 | BT Sport 1 |
Saturday 12th October
| New Zealand v Italy | 05:45 | CANCELLED |
| England v France | 09:15 | CANCELLED |
| Ireland 47 – 5 Samoa | 11:45 | ITV |
| Kings 17 – 42 Ulster | 15:00 | Premier Sports 2 |
| Scarlets 54 – 10 Zebre | 15:00 | Freesports |
| Ospreys v Treviso | 19:35 | Premier Sports 2 |
| Glasgow v Cardiff | 19:35 | Premier Sports 1 |
Sunday 13th October
| Namibia v Canada | 04:15 | ITV |
| USA v Tonga | 06:45 | ITV |
| Wales v Uruguay | 09:10 | ITV / S4C |
| Japan v Scotland | 11:45 | ITV |
So that’s not much of a stat either.
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@tomp – I’m sure it’s not quite the finishing table inverted, but that wouldn’t surprise me.
In one of Ireland’s recent 6N wins, we got early (and winning) leads and our opponents had to chase the game for ages. We might have made fewer metres than the other lot in four or even five of those games.
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@Enzo
Thing is, Barcelona were exciting to watch. They scored 3+ goals a game, and cut teams open at will. They had some of the greatest offensive players of all time, or at least their generation. In their prime- and overall, they were far better at attacking than they were at defending. The one touch play at high speed was breathtaking.
For those of us who are not Ireland fans, watching them play their best rugby is like being forced to watch paint dry inches away from the wall, with a hobnail booted foot kicking the back of your head every 15 minutes or so, with a voice asking ‘how d’ya like that, c&*t?’
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“So that’s not much of a stat either”
But have you got them for all games?
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Pro/Yos
I think that rugby in the US may well be on the up. Friends grandson who played running back for the local high school team in his junior year was told to play rugby in the off season to improve his agility and put on some weight. He is now looking to continue playing, his younger brother is playing, and they are looking at rugby instead of gridiron as a college/professional career. Why ? more time on the field, and less serious injuries.Strikes me it is exploding at high school level here in public schools, it was until recently a preserve of private “prep” schools. The football season effectively finishes for most high schools at Thanksgiving, and rugby is a spring/summer game. Be afraid, very afraid, the level of fitness and strength development is INSANE at high school sport level.
Hope to go and see a couple of matches next year, will report back.
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Ireland second fewest kicks in the 6 Nations. Lowest number of metres kicked. Smallest percentage of possessions kicked.
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I’m sure we’ve done this before but which Irish player is Busquets un rugby tiki taka?
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@CMW, you asking me to work here?
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@tomp – yeah, but it’s what you want to see that counts.
@yos – speaking of which… it was Devin Toner, tall skinny lad giving simple passes as a pivot.
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Larry,
Scotland first. Then England, Ireland. Italy. France and Wales bringing up the rear.
Ryan and Leavy are the boyz for me with those nice feet near the tackle, just sneaking past or putting the defender. A tremendous skill.
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Certainly not Larry. I can only come up with ridiculously silly theories with full tables of stats is all. “Stupid” indeed…
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Ireland got over a 1,000 metre in running against Italy. Probably Italy kicking too much to the Irish back 3.
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@tomp – you are right about Ryan and Leavy. Hopefully DL is the same boy when he comes back from the injury. 18 months ago I couldn’t believe our back row depth. Now I genuinely think Tadhg Beirne is our best option at six (not that he’s terrible but still). Which is something to think about for you lads. Welsh back row depth is out of this world atm – but it can all change…
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Penny and Hodnett are coming through in the back row. Both fine prospects.
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Ireland outran each of their opponents in last year’s 6 Nations except for Scotland. Once you get ahead there’s no need to chase. Trust you defence and you’re away.
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Leavy was an absolute monster in Ireland’s GS. Hope he comes back OK, see also Ellis Jenkins for Wales. Of course all the evidence suggests that Wales are going to be a great big wet fart when AWJ retires, back row or no back row.
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I like the way Ireland play.
They’ve shown that they can grind out a win, such as the 16-9 win against NZ, and they’ve shown that they can score tries, such as 40-29 the fantastically entertaining game in Chicago.
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@CMW – Leavy and Jenkins, if their knees aren’t deid, could both be test Lions next time. In fact, they might even be my picks all form being equal*.
Unfortunately they are both question marks but I remember even as recently as the 90s a popped knee was basically it for a player. Not like that any more, thank dog.
*Immense speculation and shovels of maybe involved in this, obviously.
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Quality players but I think the balance is off. But that is probably the same everywhere.
I’d love Warbs, Quinnell and Tipuric but that’s asking too much.
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It’s obvious why you’d want Big Scott in his prime, but few teams have that enormo ball carrier who can make dents from slow ball. England don’t know they’re born with Bigly. Both Sarries and the national side are far worse when he’s not about.
Ireland don’t have a player like that either. Nor Scotland.
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Ironically, we might have found our new backrow, despite having a crap RWC. Obviously any backrow will be improved with added ‘Mish, but Bradbury, Ritchie and Thompson have looked good, even today.
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@BB – Ritchie is a serious player. Such a shame to see Barclay put in a performance beneath his reputation like he did against Ireland. Looked a bit SOB-esque in how he’s fallen off a cliff. I’m slightly worried POM is going through the same thing. But back row isn’t for weaklings. Experience and nous are great but won’t stop you being eaten alive by some hungry talent in prime shape.
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Big question @Enzo: can Joe get one more huge performance out of his team?
It’d do us all a massive favour.
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@Yos – I’m hoping for three. Collapse over the line to ultimate victory.
I expect a QF exit.
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I can try and gin up some hope, if you like.
Number of RWC games Johnny Sexton has started and not won: zero.
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Watching NFL here. The “Texans” is an atrocious bit of branding.
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@Enzom. Yup, I think that might have been the end for Barclay as a international player. He might even find it difficult to get back into the Embra team with a back row of Ritchie, Bradbury and Mata, then Hamish once he’s back fit. Shame, coz I think for a couple of years when he was with Scarlets he was one of the best around.
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Delighted for Japan, they learnt us.
Suspect the boks Bosh will biff their dream though. Still, great achievement
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Toonie oot!
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Who in?
Cockers?
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Toonie out?!
I’m surprised but also it’s the right decision. I still think he’s plenty to offer as a coach and could even be a successful Scotland coach in future. For now, though, very hard for him to stay in situ.
Options will be manifold. Cockers, Dave Rennie, Dan McFarland (please no), several Kiwis (including Jamie Joseph)…
And, of course, Big Vern.
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Dave Rennie’s going back home after this season. Basically he’s said his wife misses the family, so I can’t imagine he’d want to stay. I’m also not sure he’d be exactly right for Scotland – we need someone who can mix things up a bit, get a bit of ‘devil’ back in the forwards. Cockers it is then.
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They’ve done another one. One day all replays will be like this:
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Steady on, it was but a cry of pain. Not reportage
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@Chimpie – how long will this one take? Lancaster stuck in there against the odds for years.
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FS, Chimpie!
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He has made a lot of errors. In approach and selection
McFarland was a big loss, the pack hasn’t been the same since
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*Puts hand into coat*
“Think you took a wrong turn somewhere, sir. Home’s back the other way.”
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There’ll be a lot of angst about letting big vern go too early floating around north of the border
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Toonie went be going anywhere I reckon. He’ll be given a chance to redeem himself. Hope he’s learnt some lessons. Don’t pick on reputation rather than form, need a plan b etc.
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Thieving norn Gibbons!
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Norn Irish
Good lord I’m gibbering
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Need drink
*fills glass*
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“norn Gibbons”
I’m gonna wear that.
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“For those of us who are not Ireland fans, watching them play their best rugby is like being forced to watch paint dry inches away from the wall, with a hobnail booted foot kicking the back of your head every 15 minutes or so, with a voice asking ‘how d’ya like that, c&*t?’”
Speak for yourself because it’s obvious that your problem with Ireland is unique to you, and it runs deeper than trolling.
And your language is ugly and insulting to the Irish posters using this blog, as it has been for a number of years now. Please take the needle off the record, and treat this place and its contributors with a least a modicum of respect.
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“Thieving norn Gibbons!”
Definitely going to be using this. At least until Thaum appears with a banhammer.
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Toonie shoud be given the entire world cup cycle – we won’t get anyone in two years, it’s the wrong time.
He does need better staff around him though, oh and better players.
Ritchie is what we’ve needed for years, he’s hard as nails mentally as well as physically, Luke Crosbie is even more so. Toonie needs to start working towards France 23 now, get these lads playing regularly, along with George Horne, Scott Cummings etc
Tell the older guys, thanks for your service, but this is the end of the road.
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“And your language is ugly and insulting to the Irish posters using this blog”
Thieving Norn Gibbons to a man and woman. Well, some of them are anyway.
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This is the second try for Japan:
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