What we know about Hagibis fallout
Q Has the weather ever forced the cancellation of matches at an international tournament before?
A Yes, rain at the Cricket World Cup this summer, when there were no reserve days at the pool stage, is the most recent example. France’s Six Nations match against Ireland in 2012 was postponed minutes before kick-off due to a frozen pitch.
Q Have a team ever been knocked out of a tournament by weather?
A In the 1992 Cricket World Cup semi-final, England beat South Africa when, after a 10-minute rain delay, the Most Productive Overs method revised South Africa’s target down from 22 runs from 13 balls to an impossible 21 runs from one remaining delivery.
Q Why don’t they simply play the matches a day or two later?
A Organisers say they would have to do that for every game affected by the typhoon in order to be consistent and fair to each side. They argue they had no wriggle room for matches to be moved at the pool stage as there were due to be eight played over the weekend.
Q Or why don’t they move them?
A England and France were ready to move to Oita to play but World Rugby decided it was logistically impossible, and declared that the risk to travelling teams, fans and volunteers was too great.
Q Is TV to blame?
A World Rugby insists that there was no influence from broadcasters but all stakeholders would have been consulted and games behind closed doors would hardly be an attractive option.
Q How can organisers, not have been prepared for this?
A World Rugby says it has explored every contingency plan but the sheer size of the typhoon made it impossible to consider moving games, and cancelling matches is in accordance with the rules.
Q If the roles were reversed, and Japan had to beat Scotland, would it have acted any differently?
A No. This is a safety matter and World Rugby says it could not take the risk of any loss of life or injury to players or supporters. Typhoon Faxai, which was far smaller than Hagibis, brought public transport to a standstill long after it had passed. Three people were killed, hundreds injured and half a billion pounds of damage caused.
Q So, what is the least bad option – games cancelled, and teams sent home by the weather, or playing one or two games late, and behind closed doors, or at another venue?
A To the sporting purist, there is no contest. Organisers argue it is more complicated.
Q Is there any recompense for fans? A Minimal. Fans can receive ticket refunds, but not travel and hotel costs.