During the next 72 hours, the staff of the Blues will undoubtedly scrutinize the Japanese weather reports ... World Rugby announced, Sunday, September 29, having warned the XV of France and the United States of the potential risk that meets them, Wednesday, October 2 in Fukuoka World Cup, be canceled because of the typhoon Mitag, which could hit southwest Japan on the day of the meeting.
In this case, each team would be awarded two points (draw 0-0), a scenario that could compromise the chances of qualification of the Blues (4 pts, a match) - the fight with Argentina (6 pts, 2 m.), which they beat in opening (23-21), and England (10 pts, 2 m.) - for the quarter-finals.
This disaster scenario is however far from being recorded because, according to World Rugby, "the latest available information indicates that the typhoon would move further away from the Japanese coast than originally planned, which would reduce the risk of impact."
"Nevertheless, in the interest of the teams and to preserve the integrity of the competition, we informed France and the United States of the emergency measures applicable in the event that the weather conditions did not permit the holding of this competition. meeting on the scheduled date in Fukuoka "he added.
A new weather report on Monday
"We will continue to closely monitor the evolution of the typhoon with our meteorological data provider, local authorities, transport providers and teams.A new weather advisory will be released tomorrow (Monday)," the statement said.
The impact of typhoons on the course of the competition is a matter of concern for World Rugby. Less than two weeks before the start of the World Cup, Typhoon Faxai struck Tokyo and the neighboring city of Chiba, killing two people and causing major air disturbances in Narita, one of Tokyo's two major airports. .
And on September 21, World Rugby issued a weather alert on Typhoon Tapah's approach, ultimately downgraded to a tropical storm.
With AFP