‘Japan typhoon had minor impact on Rugby WC prep’

TOKYO: A typhoon that scored a direct hit on Tokyo with less than two weeks until the start of the Rugby World Cup had only a “minor” impact on preparations, organisers said Monday.Typhoon Faxai, which pummelled the Japanese capital with record winds and torrential rain, reignited concerns about the potential impact of Japan’s extreme weather on the seven-week World Cup that kicks off on September 20.Organising committee spokesman Nicholas Van Santen said that an initial study into the typhoon had shown “some minor impact on venues and team camps.”Some teams — notably the Australians — were delayed in their arrival while England and their coach Eddie Jones also experienced some minor typhoon-related delays.There were also small changes to the schedules of the arriving Tongan and Georgian teams.However, France managed to sneak in just before the onset of Faxai while the three-time champions New Zealand arrived later Monday after the storm had spiralled out to sea.Van Santen said organisers had been monitoring the typhoon closely and analysing it with the tournament’s weather information providers and the relevant Japanese authorities. “We are working closely with the teams concerned to minimise any impact from these delays,” he said.Due to the packed schedule in the initial pool phase, tournament rules state that if a match cannot be played, it is cancelled and recorded as a draw — a system that could have a huge impact on what is expected to be a close-run competition.

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