TYPHOON MITAG MAY HAVE HUGE IMPACT ON POOL STANDINGS
WALES’ potential World Cup quarter-final opponents France have been told their pool match against USA could be abandoned and recorded as a 0-0 draw.
That’s because of a typhoon that is forecast to impact the Fukuoka fixture, which is scheduled for Wednesday.
It would mean Les Blues missing out on anticipated points which could harm their prospects in the closely contested Pool C where they are vying with England and Argentina.
They could be left needing a bonus-point win over England in their final group match to top the pool.
Wales’ thrilling victory over Australia has made them favourites to win Pool D and meet the runners-up from Pool C in the quarter-finals.
World Rugby has today confirmed that contingency plans are in place for the France-USA game in Fukuoka, with Typhoon Mitag set to see high winds and heavy rain batter the region as the week progresses.
Under competition rules, if the game is cancelled, it would be scored a 0-0 draw, with France taking just two points rather than the five they would have been hoping for via a bonus-point win.
That would put them at a serious disadvantage to England, who have already take a maximum 10 points from their games against Tonga and the USA.
A World Rugby statement said: “World Rugby and Japan Rugby 2019 are monitoring Typhoon Mitag, which is developing off the south west coast of Japan.
“Based on the latest information from our weather information provider and the Japan Meteorological Agency, the typhoon could bring high winds and heavy rain to the southern island of Kyushu on October 2, possibly impacting the France versus USA match at Fukuoka.
“The latest information indicates that the typhoon is moving further away from Japan’s coastline than originally predicted, and the impact risk is reducing.
“However, in the best interests of the teams and the integrity of the tournament, we have informed France and the USA of the contingency plans in the event that adverse weather means that it is not possible to play the match in Fukuoka on the scheduled date.
“We will continue to closely monitor this developing situation in partnership with our weather information provider, local authorities, transport providers and the teams, and will provide a further update tomorrow.
“Fans are advised to monitor official Rugby World Cup channels for any updates.
“Fans visiting from outside Japan are reminded that while typhoons can vary in terms of strength and intensity, they are a normal occurrence in Japan and the vast majority have minimal impact on daily life.”
Mitag is the third typhoon to hit Japan since the World Cup teams started to arrive at the start of the month, following Faxai and Tapah, while it’s the 17th of the season in the country.