Italy captain Sergio Parisse slams World Rugby after All Blacks match-up cancelled

NZ were big losers under similar rules at the Cricket World Cup. Rules are established prior to the event. Everyone knows them. Play to the conditions It's not the best outcome, but to sya it's unfair is ridiculous

If nothing else the typhoon sagas have brought to the surface those long-simmering frustrations of the less privileged members of the international rugby community, with complaints galore about double standards within everything from the officiating and scheduling to typhoon-induced cancellations. Whatever the outcome of this World Cup, hard questions need to be asked of the administrators before the next one. Why are the foundation unions still receiving preferable treatment, both at the World Cup and in between tournaments? & Why are the rest still regarded as second class? After the All Blacks vs Italy game was called off the press was full of quotes suggesting Italy were on a "hiding to nothing" anyway. Unbelievable! What's the point in holding a World Cup at all then? We knew before this one kicked off that most of the teams were only there to make up the numbers. The press should have done its job and ripped into the administration the way it would have if it were a FIFA event. But herein lies another of rugby's ingrained problems. Its most influential press dominated by the same small group of nations which maintain a stranglehold on the game. & you can be sure this press is in league with the rugby establishment, rubbing shoulders at meetings and functions, receiving all manner of perks and privilege, reliant upon it for the very material which serves as the basis of its trade, and not disposed toward meaningful criticism. They might even have attended the same schools, or played for the same clubs in their youth. It's all a matter of class, and as American comedian and social critic George Carlin once put it: "It's a big club, and you ain't in it." Though in rugby's case, perhaps not so big.

Parisse is spot on, so much time, a lifetime of effort and training put into these matches and they are cancelled without any Plan B. I feel sorry for the teams and the fans that were really looking forward to this, especially the players that may have played their final WC game like the Italian captain.

Atlas, thanks for setting out those rules because a lot of people have not bothered to read them. The first one means that what Scotland have suggested - playing on Monday - is impossible. It also means that their threatened legal challenge would just be a waste of time. And the story put about in the media about the All Blacks being (but not Italy) being given the option of playing on Monday but turning down the opportunity was just a malicious rumour and more "fake news". So let's just hope the Scotland v Japan match can go ahead as scheduled. If not, it will be an embarrassment from which World Rugby will never recover. The Japanese coach has come out firing today - they want to play the match too! Make it happen!

RWC Tournament rules Pool matches - Cancelled Matches Where a pool Match cannot be commenced on the day in which it is scheduled, it shall not be postponed to thefollowing day, and shall be considered as cancelled. In such situations, the result shall be declared a draw andTeams will be allocated two Match points each and no score registered. For the avoidance of doubt, no bonuspoints will be awarded. . Knock-out Matches - Postponed Matches Where a knock-out Match cannot be commenced on the scheduled Match day, it will be considered aspostponed, and will be re-scheduled to be played within the two days following the scheduled Match day, orsuch longer period as determined by RWCL.

Well you don't wait till its blowing to jump on a bus.... Delaying should have been an option that all broadcasters agreed to in the event of a Typhoon if the logistics of a change of venue proved impossible. If it was a finals game they would have found a way. They should have planned on finding a way for pool matches too.

Yeah ferrying people around in the middle of a super hurricane is probably not the safest option. Cancellation of the game is bad optics for the organisers, but far better than "Azzurri tour bus thrown off of highway in 200km/h winds, there were no survivors".

Regards your last comment I believe this is why the Scotland v Japan game isn’t being decided till the last minute. People who are complaining that they could have just moved the game I do not think they realise how much effort would go into preparing a stadium for the game. Let alone the travel warnings that have been put out in Japan for affected areas.

I couldn't listen to the whole video, but he has a point about the lack of contingency. This should have been thought of as part of the bid proposal to host it. As amazing as the rest of the events have been and as wonderful as the hospitality is (by all accounts), Japan should have had alternate solutions in place in the event of a typhoon. Cancelling games should never be an option. Change venues, slip the schedule. Anything but cancel. He has a half point about "if NZ needed the points they would find a way". I wouldn't be so specific, but I imagine if the game had the potential to rob a major team of a slot in the finals, or it was actually one of the finals games they would find another way. Pool matches involving any team at any position on the table should be treated with just as much importance.