Select Edition

Select Edition

Northern
Southern
Global
NZ
France

USA vs Tonga and Wales vs Uruguay will be played as scheduled on Sunday

By Online Editors
The Hanazono rugby stadium has been cleared to host USA vs Tonga on Sunday (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

World Rugby and the Japan Rugby 2019 Organising Committee have announced that Sunday’s World Cup 2019 Pool C match between USA and Tonga at Hanazono (14:45 Japan time) and the Pool D match between Wales and Uruguay at Kumamoto (17:15 Japan time) will go ahead as scheduled.

A statement read: "The decision was taken following an assessment of the venue and associated infrastructure on Sunday morning in partnership with the respective host cities. World Rugby and the Japan Rugby 2019 organising committee would like to thank everyone involved in getting the matches on.

"A detailed assessment is under way at Yokohama International Stadium for the Pool A match between Japan and Scotland and an announcement will be made at the conclusion of that important process."

The Namibia versus Canada match, due to be played in Kamaishi, was earlier called off due to the damage caused by Typhoon Hagibis.

A statement released at 6am Japanese time on Sunday morning stated: “Typhoon Hagibis was one of the most powerful storms to hit Japan in decades and safety considerations are at the heart of the decision. Kamaishi is situated in a highly mountainous area, including mountains directly behind the main stand of the stadium.

(Continue reading below...)

There have been landslides and flooding in the vicinity of the stadium and along access roads to the venue following torrential rain throughout the night.

“The safety of all involved in World Cup 2019 is our primary consideration and fans are advised not to travel to Kamaishi or the venue, which will be closed. Ticket holders will be entitled to a full face-value refund.”

The cancellation was the third this weekend due to the typhoon after Saturday's fixtures featuring New Zealand- Italy and England-France were called off.

WATCH: What rugby fans can expect from Kumamoto's nightlife scene at the World Cup