Ireland, Scotland or Japan: Who will play the All Blacks in World Cup quarter-final?

NZ Herald

The All Blacks will be eagerly awaiting the announcement on whether tournament organisers will call off tonight's Japan v Scotland game.

The All Blacks will face the runners up of Pool A, having qualified top of their Pool B.

If the Japan v Scotland match does go ahead, then the nature of the result of tonight's clash will determine the All Blacks' opponent, with the potential for Ireland, Japan and Scotland all to be tied on equal points. (Ireland clinched a quarter-final spot and currently sit top of Pool A after beating Samoa.)

Here are the scenarios and what it means for the All Blacks:

Tournament organisers will decide today if the Japan v Scotland match in Yokohama will go ahead after inspecting the damage from Typhoon Hagibis and checking the safety and transport situation.

If the game is called off, the match will be deemed a 0-0 draw and each team will be awarded two points.

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That would leave both Ireland and Japan tied on 16 points in Pool A, and knockout the Scots.

Japan will top the group and face the Springboks (Pool B runners up) because of the head-to-head tiebreaker, having beaten Ireland earlier in their pool matchup.

Ireland will be left with a tantalising quarter-final against the reigning world champions.

Japan win – All Blacks play Ireland