Fans land to cancellation news

Crestfallen All Blacks fans flying to the Rugby World Cup slumped in frustration after learning just moments after landing in Japan that tonight’s clash with Italy had been cancelled.

World Rugby took the unprecedented step on Thursday of cancelling the All Blacks game against Italy and the France versus England pool matches as Typhoon Hagibis heads towards Japan.

The weather system — which has been described as a “Super Typhoon” — is expected to unleash its full might tonight, bringing with it dangerous winds and rain.

Among fans who found out the news shortly after arrival in Tokyo on Thursday were brothers Simon and Andy Hepple. Simon won a Herald competition for return flights to Japan for two with five nights’ accommodation in Tokyo. That time covered the game against Italy.

“When we landed in Japan, we could hear the groans from people around the plane as they were turning their phones on. People were swearing and we kind of knew the game was gonna be cancelled.”

Hepple estimated a third of passengers on the flight had travelled for the rugby.

World Rugby announced the game was off while the plane was Japan-bound.

“Everyone we spoke to was talking about going to the game, there were a lot of disappointed people.

“By the time we got to customs, people were laughing about it. I mean, what can you do?”

Hepple said he was quite “fatalistic” about the game being cancelled.

“It is what it is, I’m just excited to be in Japan and have a look around. I’ve never been to Japan before,” he said.

“There’s still a buzz of excitement in the place. The Japanese have been really nice to us . . . everyone’s at pains to apologise for a typhoon coming . . . as if they can help it.”

Hepple said although there were clear skies at the moment, they planned to stay close to their hotel.

“You’d never believe in a million years that there was a typhoon about to come. It’s as still as anything. The roads are pretty quiet, there’s not even a whisper of wind. I thought Tokyo would be heaving at this time but there’s very few cars on the road.”

Typhoon Hagibis is the equivalent of a Category 5 hurricane.

More disruption could affect Sunday’s scheduled matches.