Big Rugby World Cup news in Japan: the organisers have relented and are allowing spectators to bring their own food into stadiums after "sold out" signs began appearing at in-game outlets, including during the All Blacks v South Africa match at Yokohama Stadium.
The Herald can confirm spectators were not allowed to bring in any food for the opening match between hosts Japan and Russia at Tokyo Stadium because, having walked through a general entry point rather than a media one (a mistake I won't make again), a security woman politely said I could either eat the various packages bought from a nearby supermarket (I wasn't sure of the media meal status), or leave them.
In the interests of the company's financial wellbeing I can reveal I secretly deposited the items around my person and walked through again without a problem. I needn't have worried about being fed before kick-off as it happened, because there is a production line of serving staff ready to fill your recyclable plate with all sorts of things pre-match; rice and a potato variety (salad or mashed) is a big part of it, along with a meat option – so far beef and chicken. It's very westernised in order to cater for more appetites, presumably.
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The news of the policy change comes as fears over beer shortages appear to have been unfounded – so far anyway – although some of the Irish supporters at the game between Ireland and Scotland at the same venue appeared to be doing their best to drink the place dry. One green-shirted bloke in dark sunglasses on a very wet night appeared particularly refreshed.