Japan V Scotland (if it's on)

First topic message reminder :

MATCH 40
SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER
KICK OFF (UK TIME)
11:45

SCOTLAND
WORLD RANKING 9TH

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe
International Stadium Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Yokohama City

(Or not at all)

Is this Schrodinger's game in that it can be considered both on and cancelled at the same time? I'm sure Jimbo will correct me in my interpretation....

No they don't. Why are you being so dishonest? Again, it's not a binary choice.

Let's hope this game is still going ahead, anyway.

Who’s being dishonest? I was being cheeky.
I hope it goes ahead to. Huge grudge match. Especially when Japan get accused of wanting to call it off and Scotland pull the legal card.

Know who I’ll be supporting that’s for sure. ...nope...but the land of the rising sun wasn’t on the list...

(Btw...that’s cheeky no. 2...)

The footage of Japan wading through water was shot at Prince Chichibu stadium in central Tokyo, not Nissan Stadium in Yokohama.

That level of flooding would just have been down to how the rain was collecting in that particular spot, not an indication of the flooding on the pitch.

In the end, this typhoon was mainly about the rain, not the wind. Winds dropped sharply as it made landfall because it hit a band of dry air. The typhoon in September felt far more violent, and Tokyo wasn't in the main path that time. I didn't make any special provisiions last month but had stocked on on food, bottled water, batteries and candles for this one.

Lots of scenes of flooding this morning, so the damage is fairly unevenly distributed. Residents near rivers or in low-lying areas are washed out, while a lot of other areas are dry.

Here's a scene in Musashi Kosugi, which is in Kawasaki (between Tokyo and Yokohama) This is a major bus stop and taxi rank.

https://twitter.com/mini_pin/status/1183022335399317505

Even if the organisers find the stadium fit for purpose, they won't necessarily know how all the trains will be running. Some lines have restarted but many have not. Not sure whether they can make a call to hold the game but close the stadium to stop people travelling.

At the very least if pitch is ok play it no fans in stadium and televise it, otherwise this RWC is deader than a dead thing

Positive noises about this game going ahead as Namibia v Canada is called off:

https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/510716

The stadium is in Shin Yokahama Park. Some parts of the park (not all) look like this right now:

https://twitter.com/jun__yamamoto/status/1183126761896169472

The stadium area looks dry, and some workers are already getting stuff ready in case the game goes ahead.

https://twitter.com/kokusancyaba100/status/1183136398146035712

So is it just Nabibia v Canada that is cancelled, and not Scotland Japan.

majesticimperialman wrote:So is it just Nabibia v Canada that is cancelled, and not Scotland Japan.

So far

Id say the Scotland v Japan game will go ahead. Looks likely.

Collapse2005 wrote:Id say the Scotland v Japan game will go ahead. Looks likely.

We don't know what factors will be taken into account. All we have is people looking at photos of the scene, and saying it looks all right. Should be an announcement shortly.

Wales vs Uruguay and USA vs Tonga are on.

Most want the game to go ahead but safety will be paramount.

It’ll be absolute hats off to the Japanese services if they manage to get the game going. Nothing short of miraculous

Hope so. Still pick Scotland to win and would rather play Ireland. Best to meet a potential winner now rather than later. If the match goes ahead NZ could still play any of the three even for a Scotland win scenario...bonus points splitting them.

https://twitter.com/AlanDymock/status/1183150731710234625?s=19

One of the Scottish journalists has made it to the stadium - all looks calm and he says people are out jogging and there's cars on the road.

Doesn't know what the pitch and wider transport networks are like yet.

Cool...most promising sign yet. Keep the good news up.

This game has so much meaning to it given the last few days.

Games gotta play!

https://twitter.com/AlanDymock/status/1183162378583543808?s=19

A decisions been made just needs to be announced...

It's surely on.

RDW wrote:https://twitter.com/AlanDymock/status/1183150731710234625?s=19

One of the Scottish journalists has made it to the stadium - all looks calm and he says people are out jogging and there's cars on the road.

Doesn't know what the pitch and wider transport networks are like yet.

We know the stadium is aleady being prepared but that's not the only factor. I'd take a delay in announcing as a good thing. If pressed to make an announcement half an hour ago, it would probably have been a cancellation. This way, there's more time to assess the risks.

Geez I’ll bet there’s a couple of pist law firms in Glasgow looking for extra work

Rugby Fan wrote:

RDW wrote:https://twitter.com/AlanDymock/status/1183150731710234625?s=19

One of the Scottish journalists has made it to the stadium - all looks calm and he says people are out jogging and there's cars on the road.

Doesn't know what the pitch and wider transport networks are like yet.

We know the stadium is aleady being prepared but that's not the only factor. I'd take a delay in announcing as a good thing. If pressed to make an announcement half an hour ago, it would probably have been a cancellation. This way, there's more time to assess the risks.

Yes and let’s hope losing money in a lawsuit isn’t one of those risks.

Dont be cruel. Thats betwern the union and WR.

Decision being made 3am UK time. You can all go to sleep! I'm in Singapore, just need to find some WiFi at 10am...

Right, well, good luck to both teams - tough old week. Talk about awful preparation.

Difficult to call. You'd think Scotlan have enough to get the job done, and perhaps - no pun intended - the crowd's mood will be dampened and Japan's energy from early in the tournament might not quite be there.

And finally, some proper rugby to look forward to after the fairly tame efforts we've seen this week, bar the Wales game.

BBC Chris Jones saying lots of positive noises now - decision in 90 minutes.

Worth saying I've just scene some of the scenes of destruction and a man has died when his car was blown over, and millions have been affected - its been a major weather event. Got to feel for those in Japan!

On the preparation point, Scotland didn't get a captains run (looks like Japan did after wading through the water!) And I doubt the players got much sleep as they were all on social media taking videos of their hotel swaying and creaking noisily in the wind.

It's going to have to be a real backs to the wall performance!

All the reason to play it. Lot of emotion flying around I’ll bet.

I’ll bet the match lives up to the pre match hype.

Game is on!

RDW wrote:Game is on!

No decision yet on fans attending....

Statement here. Fans advised to travel early as there are expected to be delays.

https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/update

or here, if the link moves:

https://twitter.com/jt_sports/status/1183197996894154752

This is the Final for both sides.

Pool B is clearly corrupted so I am glad that WR realized the necessity to play this one

Good to see your preparing for our win pie. Brace yourself.

So the game is on. Lets hope for Scotland's sake they make it worth playing( don't lose) after the threat of bringing in soliciters if it was called off( on safety grounds) of cause.

Isn’t that reason to want them to lose?

majesticimperialman wrote:So the game is on. Lets hope for Scotland's sake they make it worth playing( don't lose) after the threat of bringing in soliciters if it was called off( on safety grounds) of cause.

Careful. They might sue you for your incorrect spelling and poor use of word spacing.

majesticimperialman wrote:So the game is on. Lets hope for Scotland's sake they make it worth playing( don't lose) after the threat of bringing in soliciters if it was called off( on safety grounds) of cause.

The legal threat was never to overrule safety concerns, it was based on the legal participation agreement not saying anything about not being allowed to change venues despite world rugby completely rulling it out.

many permutations to see who plays nz with the old bonus point format.

Japan beat Scotland...NZ play Ireland. SA play Japan.

But look at the Scot win scenarios...

Scotland beat Japan, deny Japan bonus points – New Zealand play Scotland (Sa v Ire)

Scotland beat Japan without bonus point, Japan get bonus point – New Zealand play Japan ( SA v Ire)

Scotland win without a bonus point, Japan get two bonus points – New Zealand play Ireland! (SA v J)

(Japan top the pool by getting four tries and lose within 7, tie with Ireland on 16’ top as they beat them)

Scotland bonus point win with Japan getting a bonus point – New Zealand play Scotland (SA v Ire)

Both teams would finish equal on points but Scotland would sneak through on the head-to-head tiebreaker and play New Zealand.

Scotland and Japan draw – New Zealand play Ireland as Japan top group with two points and play SA.

Surreal...

If the match is close with either or both sides on three tries with minutes to go...

Well we better win now or we’ll look a bit silly

We’re also not just playing 23 men but a whole nation which has been through a hellish event. Not to mention many neutrals who will be behind Japan

Fully expecting Ireland to top the group as Scotland will win this game.

For me, it's all down to whether they can deny Japan the losing bonus point(s) to qualify. That I'm less sure of - I think Japan will go for tries early doors, and if they have 2 at half time, Scotland have to be nervous.

tigertattie wrote:Well we better win now or we’ll look a bit silly

We’re also not just playing 23 men but a whole nation which has been through a hellish event. Not to mention many neutrals who will be behind Japan

I'm pretty confident everyone but Scotland will be supporting Japan! We're going to be the bad guys if we win this.

Pal Joey wrote:

majesticimperialman wrote:So the game is on. Lets hope for Scotland's sake they make it worth playing( don't lose) after the threat of bringing in soliciters if it was called off( on safety grounds) of cause.

Careful. They might sue you for your incorrect spelling and poor use of word spacing.

Yes, my spelling is not great, but you know what i am saying, trying too say.

RDW wrote:

tigertattie wrote:Well we better win now or we’ll look a bit silly

We’re also not just playing 23 men but a whole nation which has been through a hellish event. Not to mention many neutrals who will be behind Japan

I'm pretty confident everyone but Scotland will be supporting Japan! We're going to be the bad guys if we win this.

I'm supporting Scotland. As good as Japan are, if Scotland perform and turn up today, I'll support them - if they're useless, then I'll back Japan as more deserving QFists.

However, for selfish reasons, I also want Ireland to top the group - realistic chance of beating SA, unlike Japan (I know, I know...). Makes it a tough game for the Boks, and possibly Ireland in the SF for Wales should they get past France.

It's also the most likely scenario in my opinion - Scotland winning today...it's just whether they finish the job off. If they click, they play magic rugby, and I want them to do well given their attitude and players like Hogg. The worry is whether they have the game to string those positive moves together, or whether it'll be another game of panic-button-7s if things start going wrong.

For some reason I can see us either winning comfortably and turning the game into an anti climax, or Japan absolutely running riot and putting in a performance of the ages.

The stars appear to be aligning for this Japan team so I wouldn't be surprised if it was the latter! If it wasn't for the fact they're playing Scotland I'd be delighted about that.

miaow wrote:

RDW wrote:

tigertattie wrote:Well we better win now or we’ll look a bit silly

We’re also not just playing 23 men but a whole nation which has been through a hellish event. Not to mention many neutrals who will be behind Japan

I'm pretty confident everyone but Scotland will be supporting Japan! We're going to be the bad guys if we win this.

I'm supporting Scotland. As good as Japan are, if Scotland perform and turn up today, I'll support them - if they're useless, then I'll back Japan as more deserving QFists.

However, for selfish reasons, I also want Ireland to top the group - realistic chance of beating SA, unlike Japan (I know, I know...). Makes it a tough game for the Boks, and possibly Ireland in the SF for Wales should they get past France.

It's also the most likely scenario in my opinion - Scotland winning today...it's just whether they finish the job off. If they click, they play magic rugby, and I want them to do well given their attitude and players like Hogg. The worry is whether they have the game to string those positive moves together, or whether it'll be another game of panic-button-7s if things start going wrong.

Ok everyone but Scots and miaow will be supporting Japan!

Your last point is key and hopefully where we've learnt our lessons from the Ireland game - we can't play like we're trying to score from first phase every time or we'll make mistakes that Japan will capitalise on.

We need to be patient and dominate possession and territory. If the 8 point win comes from a 79th minute penalty then so be it.

I think the trick thing for Scotland will be dealing with what Japan threw at Ireland - I'd expect Scotland to get an edge early doors up front, but 30 mins onwards, the Japanese forwards will start to turn that around and probably start smashing Scotland back. Without that platform, could be desperate stuff for Scotland.

I think Japan will win. But i would like Scotland to win, i would like all NH teams to go through to the quarter final's. After that i wan't England to win all the way.

Great news to wake up to! 

Hope it's a really good game, this looked like it would be one of the moments of the tournament if Japan had a chance to qualify, so hope the distractions in the build up don't turn it into a damp squib (no pun intended)

Best of luck to both sides 

So happy this game is going ahead, tragic news from Japan in the aftermath of the typhoon. Great to see photos of touring rugby fans and locals working together to get things working again.

This is going to be a marvellous game for sure.

Fantastic news this. Worst possible news for Japan but excellent for Scotland (and Ireland).

Best of luck today Scotland, get the win

RDW wrote:

tigertattie wrote:Well we better win now or we’ll look a bit silly

We’re also not just playing 23 men but a whole nation which has been through a hellish event. Not to mention many neutrals who will be behind Japan

I'm pretty confident everyone but Scotland will be supporting Japan! We're going to be the bad guys if we win this.

I want Scotland to win albeit not sure Id want to play SA over NZ anymore