How the world media reacted to Typhoon Hagibis and the cancellation of two World Cup matches including the All Blacks' clash against Italy.
Taking the World Cup to Japan was the right decision despite typhoon furore - Mick Cleary of the Telegraph
"There were tears at Italian training, pent-up anger in the Scotland camp, stoicism from Eddie Jones, hard-nosed All Black pragmatism from Steve Hansen, regrets and befuddlement among supporters, a swirling, broiling mix of emotions that mirrored the monstrous ball of energy that is about to dump on Tokyo. Whatever mayhem Typhoon Hagibis leaves in its wake it will have to do something rather extreme to eclipse the fury and bafflement that attended the decision to cancel two pool matches with a major doubt also hanging over Japan's crunch match against Scotland in Yokohama on Sunday.
"The Japanese are used to typhoons. They are not used to such vehement denunciation, such blasts of hot air, such stormy verbal weather, Typhoon Outrage. Of course it is only right to critique World Rugby. This will forever be *RWC2019, the footnote tournament.
READ MORE:
• 2019 Rugby World Cup: What cancellation of Italy game would mean for the All Blacks
• 2019 Rugby World Cup: All Blacks prepared and ready to deal with cancelled Italy clash
• 2019 Rugby World Cup: Italian star breaks down in training as team bow out with cancellation of All Blacks match
• 2019 Rugby World Cup: All Blacks v Italy and England v France cancelled as Typhoon Hagibis set to hit Japan
"But it does not mean that the decision to take the event to Japan was the wrong one. If it were, where have all those naysayers been over the last four weeks, silent as the paens of praise were heaped upon the organisers for having the vision and the boldness to strike out into the virgin market of Asia, with its embracing people, its engagement and exoticism, and its buoyant team who are threatening to break the masonic bond of the brotherhood and claim a seat at top table?"
Gregor Townsend's faith in Scotland decider going ahead seems misplaced - by Andy Bull of the Guardian
"If they (Italy) had won that match against the All Blacks, they would have gone through to the quarter-finals. Italy's odds of doing it were a lot longer than Scotland's are but, as their coach, Conor O'Shea, said: "We had the chance."
"Not any more. Gilpin said World Rugby is working on the principle that "if we can't do it for all, we shouldn't be doing it for any" because "we have to apply consistency to our contingency plan across all the games and we treat all the matches fairly".
"It is hard to argue Scotland should have a chance denied Italy just because they are more likely to take advantage of it.
"The problem, really, is the contingency plan World Rugby is "applying consistency to" seems to be to cross its fingers and hope the typhoon veers away, then, when it does not, to cancel everything and warn everyone to stay indoors. With 10 years to get ready, you would think it would have come up with something better."
Rugby World Cup should tweak their own rules to save integrity of a fine competition - by Paul Radley of The National
"There must be some wiggle room here. Logistically impossible? Surely not.
"There are six days between the last pool match, between Scotland and Japan, and the first quarter-final in Oita next Saturday.
"Sides have had four-day turnarounds as a matter of course during the pool stage. How can it be that difficult?
"Sergio Parisse has been deprived a swansong to his fine career by the cancellation of Italy's game against New Zealand.
"His teammate, Leonardo Ghiraldini, was reportedly moved to tears when he heard the news that he, too, was set to be denied one last game for his country.
"And, however unlikely it was that Italy would beat the All Blacks with the requisite try-haul to make it through themselves, this was still a live fixture."
The view from Scotland: World Rugby can't even maintain the pretence of sporting integrity when it comes to handling Scotland's do-or-die showdown with Japan - John Greechan of Mailonline
"And, no, the fact that rugby superpowers New Zealand, England and France have all had matches cancelled doesn't prove – as some have rather ridiculously claimed – that World Rugby are being even-handed in their treatment of all nations.
"If any one of those three still needed bonus points to reach the quarter-finals, you can be absolutely certain that tournament organisers would have found a way to make their final group games go ahead.
"They would have taken the All Blacks to play Italy in Auckland on a gold-plated charter plane if it meant keeping them around.
"Scotland? Meh. File their complaint alongside that of the Italians and other non-members of rugby's most exclusive club."
Social media slams World Rugby