In the early hours of Sunday morning halfway across the world, World Rugby confirmed that the decisive Japan v Scotland Rugby World Cup game will, in fact, go ahead as scheduled at the Nissan Stadium after all. A detailed stadium inspection had been carried out from dawn and found that the ground would be able to host the decisive Group A match.
SCOTLAND VS JAPAN IS...ON!
— Tom English (@TEnglishSport) October 13, 2019
The match will be fully seated but organisers warned fans to expect reduced dining and merchandise vending arrangements.
Given all of the concern about Super Typhoon Hagibis's power and all of the bleating about lawsuits from Scotland, the decision now sets up some truly incredible drama at 11:45am Sunday morning (Dublin time). Scotland can knock Japan out of the World Cup. The result will also decide Ireland's quarterfinal opponent.
Canada v Namibia was cancelled following an evacuation order in the city of Kamaishi. Wales v Uruguay and USA v Tonga got the green light to be played.
After being assaulted by wind and rain last night, day broke beautifully over Yokohama this morning.
It's a beautiful still, calm morning in #Yokohama - perfect for a game of #rugby!
The announcement from @WorldRugby with regard to the #JAPvSCO #RWC2019 game is due soon - let's hope the odds are in our favour! pic.twitter.com/HCNWQcmmUK— Rhona Sweeting 🏴🇪🇺 (@RhonaSweeting) October 12, 2019
Yokohama seemed to escape some of the truly cataclysmic weather that hit Japan over the past 24 hours, at least on street photography posted to social media.
午前6時前からボランティアの方など運営スタッフの方々の姿が。関係者の出入口には車列。朝ですがすこし肌寒いくらいで、半袖半ズボンの人もちらほら。 pic.twitter.com/lCABoKifX6
— 多羅正崇／Masataka Tara (@blossom_j_rugby) October 12, 2019
The Nissan Stadium was built on stilts, which have came in handy this morning, though organisers were largely concerned that the travel to and from the stadium would pose a massive public health risk.
Sunrise near the Yokohama Stadium for #JapvSco. Looks like we may be ok #Asone @thistlerugbypod pic.twitter.com/lYxgegYWaW
— James Littlewood (@JLittlewood_EY) October 12, 2019
The Tsurumi river which flows near the Nissan Stadium burst its banks on Saturday afternoon before the storm hit. Saturday's Captain's Run was mildly effected by the conditions.
【日本代表】
本日、キャプテンズランを行いました🏃🏻♂️🏉☔️
皆さま、台風には万全の対策を🙏🏻#rugbyjp #OneTeam #BRAVEを届けよう #RWC2019 #JPNvSCO #RWC横浜 pic.twitter.com/xGUVfmS9p1— 日本ラグビーフットボール協会 (@JRFUMedia) October 12, 2019
