The matches of the World Cup rugby France-England and New Zealand-Italy have been canceled due to a typhoon. A decision that suits the Blues a little, but is unfair in many ways, notes our editorialist sport Virginie Phulpin.

EDITORIAL

There will be no Crunch at the Rugby World Cup. France-England - as New Zealand-Italy - has indeed been canceled by the organizers because of a typhoon that threatens Japan, host country of the competition. And a threat hangs over Japan-Scotland. These cancellations are understandable, but they still distort the fairness of sport, believes our sports columnist Virginie Phulpin.

We had never seen that in a World Cup. And yes, we can ask ourselves questions. France-England did not really have an issue, it's true. Both teams were already qualified for the quarter-finals. There, we give two points to each, and we freeze the ranking of the pool with England first and France second. Okay. In addition, the Blues were far from favorites against the XV of the Rose, so there is nothing shocking to see them finish second.

Yes, but ... But English and French will arrive in the quarter-finals well rested, much more than their future opponents, probably Wales for France and Australia for England. They are going to play their last pool match. I understand they think it's a shambles the quarter-finals. So we, as a Frenchman, we say to ourselves that this is very good, that our Blues will arrive in quarters without having lost, that they will have the highest morale. But if we put two seconds in the place of others, immediately we find it less friendly as a decision.

I understand that it was difficult to consider playing the game elsewhere in the country, from a logistical point of view. But sportingly, it would have been more equitable.

Japan-Scotland canceled, it would be a scandal

Even the cancellation of New Zealand-Italy is problematic. Of course the All Blacks were favorites. But the Italians find themselves eliminated without playing. It's hard to imagine them beating New Zealand widely and qualify, but there are surprises in sports, right? It's even a bit for that we like sports. So yes, there is a big problem of fairness.

But the worst is perhaps to come with the Japan-Scotland match. This is clearly the game with the most challenge. In Pool A, we still do not know who will go to the quarter-finals. A match for three for two places. For the moment Japan is first, ahead of Ireland and Scotland. Scots can still qualify if they beat the Japanese. But if the match is canceled, they will be eliminated without playing. This is where it would become very embarrassing.

I already hear endless controversy in case of cancellation. Coincidentally, the host country qualifies without playing, so the Japanese can continue to be passionate about the competition. And rugby wins. It's going to creak. World Rugby must play this game. Maybe a day later, maybe other than Tokyo. But you have to play it. Otherwise we will end up drawing the winner of the World Cup.