Rugby: England v France, All Blacks v Italy cancelled as typhoon bears down on Japan

TOKYO: Rugby World Cup organisers took the unprecedented step on Thursday of cancelling two games - England v France and New Zealand v Italy - as Japan braces for Super Typhoon Hagibis, likely the biggest storm to hit the country this year.

"While it's regrettable, we've made, we believe, the right decision with everyone's safety as the priority," he added.Tens of thousands of fans, many of them visitors from abroad, will be affected by the cancellations - the first in the tournament's 32-year history. Their tickets will be fully refunded, Gilpin said.

"I think what you've all seen over the last three weeks absolutely in every respect vindicates the right decisions to be hosting a World Cup here in Japan," he said. Seven games were slated for the final weekend of the pool stage, when matches are tightly packed and cannot be rescheduled. Cancelled games are recorded as 0-0 draws, with both teams awarded two points.England and France have already booked a spot in the quarter-finals but the decision to cancel Italy's match eliminates them from contention. A win over the All Blacks in Toyota could have taken the Italians through. New Zealand now top the group, ahead of South Africa.

Organisers received immediate criticism for the cancellations, with former World Cup winner Francois Pienaar telling Sky Sports:"Everybody has worked so hard. Why, if you work that hard and prepare yourself, let weather influence the outcome of the match? It shouldn't." Japan's Meteorological Agency said Hagibis was currently"a large and violent typhoon" and while it will weaken before hitting the mainland, it will"remain very strong" and have a"significant impact over large areas".

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