The Rugby Thread

[Irishnev]

It’s Scotland that are going to miss out here isn’t it

You could get stitched up and I fully believe Scotland were going to beat Japan

[Cormack74]

You could get stitched up and I fully believe Scotland were going to beat Japan

Really

It's unfortunate but I think the result would have been way too close to call TBH.

If they play i.e. if the weather clears sufficiently the temperature is going to be in the 20's. I don't see Scotland thriving in that environment

At least this way Scotland came claim for time immemorial that they were robbed / would have gone on to win the world cup etc etc and don't have to face the actual pain of loss and deflation.

A bit like Everton after the English club ban which meant they missed out on the European Cup.

Of course if they play and the Scots win then I'll be the first one on here offering my congrats.

[RichC]

I fully expect Japan to turn over Scotland tbh if the game takes place much like the Irish.

Unfortunate if they do go out like this but it’s happened to Italy as well

[ChesterDave]

Don't follow rugby as much as football but have the authorities faced similar criticism for opting for Japanese typhoon season in the same way FIFA did for 50 degree heat in Qatar. Seems a mad decision on the face of it

[Cormack74]

I really can't recall it being much discussed when the tournament was announced but then I can't always remember what I've had for lunch these days either

There's obviously loads of criticism now with hindsight and the rugby boards are calling it the worst WC ever (I think it was one of the best ever last week, but such is the world of social media and the internet).

Anyway the rationale for the timing was that it's pretty much the only time the competition could be held but even football seems to have managed to deal with that however unpopular the decision to move the WC to a different time slot.

And they were very keen to hold the tournament in Asia I believe since Japan is the third biggest rugby economy behind France and England so presumably a nice little earner for World Rugby.

[Kenneth]

I don't think disruptive/destructive typhoons are as guaranteed an event as a hot day in Qatar. We've already passed peak typhoon season in Japan apparently, and even then, they only get about three typhoons a year on the main islands, so this is just bad luck.

[Cormack74]

I don't think disruptive/destructive typhoons are as guaranteed an event as a hot day in Qatar. We've already passed peak typhoon season in Japan apparently, and even then, they only get about three typhoons a year on the main islands, so this is just bad luck.

I went to Qatar at a time of year when hot dry days were "guaranteed" and it rained hard every other day for the whole week

[frank the tank]

Farcical stuff from World Rugby.

In reality, they've just made their tournament a load of bull****. They can't change the weather but they should have played the games in different locations behind closed doors.

If England....or France....win their quarter final games by a couple of points, then their opponents can quite rightly say "well ye had 2 weeks to prepare as opposed to one," and with such s physical game, that makes so much difference.

If a team wins the tournament having had to play one game less, well that's just bull****

[RichC]

If you feel that strongly I’d boycott it that’ll show them

[Kenneth]

**** happens though, doesn't it? It's not a life or death issue, and the difference between not playing and playing and associated match practice and momentum isn't exactly clear. The situation is what it is, whining, legal threats, etc are disappointing.

[RichC]

Scots talking of taking legal action ffs.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50011693

[Cormack74]

Clearly they are going to be disappointed if this remains unresolved (or isn't resolved to their satisfaction) but they signed up to the terms of the competition which apparently included a section on cancellations.

So although it's all a bit ****, those would appear to be the rules.

[Kenneth]

They can do an Everton and pretend they were a shoo-in to win it if they'd be allowed.

[Irishnev]

Seeing the pictures from where Scotland are due to play Japan......flooding everywhere and it would be v surprising if the game goes ahead

[RichC]

I’d be amazed if it goes ahead. Just can’t see how it’ll be safe to play the game