1
Ireland, Scotland or Japan: Who will play the All Blacks in World Cup quarter-final?
By Online Editors
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:
Game is cancelled – All Blacks play Ireland
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.
Continue reading below...
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
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Stuart Hogg addresses rumours of rugby return
3
Nigel Owens has final say on URC's most controversial game
4
Black Ferns Sevens coach provides update on injured duo
5
Latest Comments
Excellent analysis Nick as we have come to expect. I was not really aware that NFL strategies have been adopted by rugby teams, especially in defence. One point I would make is that the Northhampton attacking player on the end of the chain in the video examples has not maintained the correct depth to be effective. In the footage shown the outside player is too flat to make the best of the opportunity his inside players have provided. In each case they have to reduce speed and turn their body backwards to secure the ball, losing all momentum and giving the impressive scrambling defence the chance to shut down the threat.
Go to commentsMorning, John. Do you think that it may be a good idea to rest both teams from the Madrid comp leading in to the Olympics
Go to comments