England vs France - Back in White

[Raggs]

Pool games had different rules to knockouts with regards to bad weather etc. Knockouts have to be played.

[Digby]

Cancelling them is daft, wrecks the whole league dynamic. Even for us, it is important in that it determines who we/France play. I understand though that if the match starts but is abandoned then its 2 points apiece.

Does the rescheduled match see any crowd turning up? Who gets tickets, is any travel laid on, how does it impact security arrangements, what does it do to commercial arrangements, what happens to accommodation for fans and the teams?

Basically I'd understand them cancelling over trying to reschedule, though one might want a word with however picked a country to host during typhoon season

despite the impact on the tournament? So you'd also cancel the final?

The arrangements are certainly possible, as they are for any postponed cup game, as I believe we saw in the European Cup. Hardly beyond the wit of man. To your last point, you'd have a contigency plan- its a two day window for the final, for example. I'm reasonably sure Scots fans (say) would happily make do and mend, rather than exiting the tournament under these conditions.

For security reasons sure. I wouldn't expect the police arrange a big game on the fly, or we can stop claiming we need to have all the security considerations. Though yes in the case of the final I'd expect more of a plan B and plan C than for a group game

[Banquo]

Pool games had different rules to knockouts with regards to bad weather etc. Knockouts have to be played.

I read they had a window for rearrangement. Also read that the final only had a two day window and then decided on a 7 point criteria system.

[Banquo]

Does the rescheduled match see any crowd turning up? Who gets tickets, is any travel laid on, how does it impact security arrangements, what does it do to commercial arrangements, what happens to accommodation for fans and the teams?

Basically I'd understand them cancelling over trying to reschedule, though one might want a word with however picked a country to host during typhoon season

despite the impact on the tournament? So you'd also cancel the final?

The arrangements are certainly possible, as they are for any postponed cup game, as I believe we saw in the European Cup. Hardly beyond the wit of man. To your last point, you'd have a contigency plan- its a two day window for the final, for example. I'm reasonably sure Scots fans (say) would happily make do and mend, rather than exiting the tournament under these conditions.

For security reasons sure. I wouldn't expect the police arrange a big game on the fly, or we can stop claiming we need to have all the security considerations. Though yes in the case of the final I'd expect more of a plan B and plan C than for a group game

Ok, and what are your specific security concerns?

I hear all options are being weighed up- move,postpone, cancel.

[Danno]

Press conference on it tomorrow, which will presumably be to announce the final decision

[Raggs]

Pool games had different rules to knockouts with regards to bad weather etc. Knockouts have to be played.

I read they had a window for rearrangement. Also read that the final only had a two day window and then decided on a 7 point criteria system.

Window would make more sense, but I'm sure they would be. There't not other fixtures to be considered, and all stadia are likely available within a reasonable range of time.

[Mellsblue]

Press conference on it tomorrow, which will presumably be to announce the final decision

Which one of us is getting up for 4am so they can be the first to post it on here?

[Scrumhead]

TBH, it’ll be sh*t if it gets cancelled but it probably won’t have changed the outcome of our group.

Ireland and Scotland’s group will be much more affected.

[Digby]

despite the impact on the tournament? So you'd also cancel the final?

The arrangements are certainly possible, as they are for any postponed cup game, as I believe we saw in the European Cup. Hardly beyond the wit of man. To your last point, you'd have a contigency plan- its a two day window for the final, for example. I'm reasonably sure Scots fans (say) would happily make do and mend, rather than exiting the tournament under these conditions.

For security reasons sure. I wouldn't expect the police arrange a big game on the fly, or we can stop claiming we need to have all the security considerations. Though yes in the case of the final I'd expect more of a plan B and plan C than for a group game

Ok, and what are your specific security concerns?

I hear all options are being weighed up- move,postpone, cancel.

I wouldn't care to comment on security concerns, but I'd accept there might be some, playing any matches moved behind closed doors would help reduce any concerns.

[Scrumhead]

word is the games will be called off. Not sure yet of the implications. Be a terrible way for Scotland to exit.

Yes, but at least partially their own fault for their crap performance against Ireland.

[Mellsblue]

Daily Mail exclusive that it will definitely be called off and Scotland v Japan postponed until Monday.

[Which Tyler]

Daily Mail exclusive that it will definitely be called off and Scotland v Japan postponed until Monday.

Exclusively shared with the Mirror, the Express the Sun, and Rugbyrama - 12 hours before the decision is due...

[Banquo]

For security reasons sure. I wouldn't expect the police arrange a big game on the fly, or we can stop claiming we need to have all the security considerations. Though yes in the case of the final I'd expect more of a plan B and plan C than for a group game

Ok, and what are your specific security concerns?

I hear all options are being weighed up- move,postpone, cancel.

I wouldn't care to comment on security concerns, but I'd accept there might be some, playing any matches moved behind closed doors would help reduce any concerns.

glad that’s sorted then....

[Digby]

Ok, and what are your specific security concerns?

I hear all options are being weighed up- move,postpone, cancel.

I wouldn't care to comment on security concerns, but I'd accept there might be some, playing any matches moved behind closed doors would help reduce any concerns.

glad that’s sorted then....

I work in fintech, it'd be something of a stretch even for me to claim any expertise. But all modern events as large as this do have big security concerns, so either that's a waste of time, or there are some issues there

[Mellsblue]

Daily Mail exclusive that it will definitely be called off and Scotland v Japan postponed until Monday.

Exclusively shared with the Mirror, the Express the Sun, and Rugbyrama - 12 hours before the decision is due...

Are you suggesting that the Daily Mail aren’t being wholly truthful?!?!?
The decision may well have already been made. It is only being announced at a press conference tomorrow.

[Which Tyler]

Daily Mail exclusive that it will definitely be called off and Scotland v Japan postponed until Monday.

Exclusively shared with the Mirror, the Express the Sun, and Rugbyrama - 12 hours before the decision is due...

Are you suggesting that the Daily Mail aren’t being wholly truthful?!?!?
The decision may well have already been made. It is only being announced at a press conference tomorrow.

True, of course - the above sources have had it up for a couple of hours now, and no-one reputable has confirmed. I'd also be surprised at them making a firm decision that long before the press conference - My sniff test would suggest that it's an option being looked at, and someone heard that and made an assumption. They've still got 36 hours after all; and I'm pretty sure they'd rather upset 70k fans, and play in front of cameras; than upset 70k fans and not play at all.

[Galfon]

Cancelling the games would be ok for Eng, Fra & Jap
bit unfair on Sco.
Certainly would help not having the injury/carding roulette that may hinder progress in the KO stages if a key player or 2 fall foul.
Wonder if anyone's getting leant on here ?

[richy678]

Acceleration and speed are two different things. Easter had the former, less of the latter, but Stom is right, with more application and work rate, he really could have been top class.

Your ‘gold standard’ for an 8 is good, but how many of the 8s currently playing at the World Cup tick all those boxes? Sergio Parisse might have done at his peak, but that was some time ago. Duane Vermeulen is up there, but I wouldn’t have described him as a ‘prominent lineout target’.

Arguably the best 8 of the last 6/7yrs has been Kieran Read and I’d argue that his strengths are largely different to those you’ve described. While he’s definitely a top lineout forward, even at his peak, I wouldn’t necessarily have classed him as being particularly powerful or explosive. His best assets are his intelligence and game sense - making the right decisions almost all the time whether that’s picking a great line or choosing when to offload or when to pass or carry.

For me, that’s the main differentiator for a truly top class 8 over those that rely on power and athleticism. Dallaglio had it which allowed him to stay at the top even when he was dropping off physically.

This is correct. With 8 being a "Spine of the team" position, a degree of rugby intelligence is necessary as well physicality. In corse rugby terms - if your tall and heavy, donkeys play lock, people with good genes play 8.

[Renniks]

The cynic in me would be suggesting Japan know they have to cancel England's game to be able to cancel their game (to reach the QF) without it being called a fix, but I'm sure that isn't the case… Right?

[Danno]

The cynic in me would be suggesting Japan know they have to cancel England's game to be able to cancel their game (to reach the QF) without it being called a fix, but I'm sure that isn't the case… Right?

I'm leaning more towards Eng v Fra being cancelled and JP v Sco going ahead since it has a more tangible effect on the tournament. And I say that as a professional cynic.

[Banquo]

I wouldn't care to comment on security concerns, but I'd accept there might be some, playing any matches moved behind closed doors would help reduce any concerns.

glad that’s sorted then....

I work in fintech, it'd be something of a stretch even for me to claim any expertise. But all modern events as large as this do have big security concerns, so either that's a waste of time, or there are some issues there

Sounds fishy.

[Cameo]

I get that re-organising a sporting event with massive crowds with short notice is difficult. I don't get that re-arranging a game of rugby with no or limited crowds is difficult. I've done it myself.

Even if they have no touch judges and have to change behind the stand that would be worth it.

I think that applies to the England game too. As long as any safety concerns can be dealt with (i.e. there is not a typhoon covering the whole island), they should play all the matches

[Digby]

glad that’s sorted then....

I work in fintech, it'd be something of a stretch even for me to claim any expertise. But all modern events as large as this do have big security concerns, so either that's a waste of time, or there are some issues there

Sounds fishy.

Well there is a catch.

Beyond that rumour is the matches are off, BBC says a press announcement is to be made in 5.5 hours, Michael Fish says there's no chance of a storm

[Lizard]

Surely the reserves can run touch at a rearranged match and someone’s Dad can ref?

[Lizard]

Radio NZ is reporting NZ v Italy is cancelled.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/rugby-world- ... -cancelled