The France-USA Rugby World Cup match will go ahead as planned on Wednesday, organisers have said, after previously warning that an incoming typhoon could cause the game to be rescheduled. Typhoon Mitag is bearing down on southwestern Japan, leading organisers to advise the two teams that the game could be moved from the planned venue in Fukuoka, on the northern tip of Kyushu island. However, World Rugby said in a statement on Monday that the typhoon was now “lessening in strength, tracking further westward away from Japan’s coastline and therefore will not impact the match”. “In line with robust tournament contingency plans, had the match not been able to be played at Fukuoka, an alternative venue would have been used,” the statement added. Organisers of the Rugby World Cup vowed to continue monitoring the typhoon, which is forecast to clip Taiwan and China before moving over the Korean Peninsula and then hitting Japan around October 4 as a much … [Read more...] about Rugby World Cup: France-USA game to go ahead as typhoon weakens
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Japan shows World Cup potential in Pacific Nations Cup
SUVA, Fiji (AP) — Japan caused the sensation of the 2015 Rugby World Cup when it beat South Africa in pool play and signaled its intention to be a danger for the top tier nations again this year with a 34-20 victory over the United State in Suva Saturday to win the Pacific Nations Cup. “Our first goal was to win the PNC. The next goal is to go to the World Cup, play our Japan brand of rugby and make the top eight,” Japan coach Jamie Joseph said. Japan played with typical pace and flair, scoring four tries including a double to captain Michael Leitch. Leitch led a strong and physical forward pack and winger Kenji Fukuoka, who scored a superb try, was a stand-out in a skillful backline. “I think it all came down to preparation,” Leitch said. “We’ve been together since February and all the hard work has paid off. “I think we’re on the right track (for the World Cup). It was good performance. Our discipline let us down at times but … [Read more...] about Japan shows World Cup potential in Pacific Nations Cup
Australia and New Zealand enter joint FIFA Women’s World Cup bid
Email Updated December 13, 2019 12:23:58 Photo: Sam Kerr will spearhead any Matildas charge at the World Cup. (AAP: Brendon Thorne) Related Story: Crowds of 60,000, powerhouse clubs — the sleeping giant of women's football is waking up Related Story: Matildas' nightmare in Nice a warning to us all Map: Australia Australia and New Zealand have joined forces in the race to host the next FIFA Women's World Cup, in 2023. Key points:Australia and New Zealand initially had separate bids but decided to join forcesThe countries hosted the 2015 Cricket World Cup and 2017 Rugby League World Cup togetherIf successful, it would be the first time two countries have hosted a Women's World Cup Football Federation Australia (FFA) had initially planned on submitting its own bid, while New Zealand put its name forward back in March.But the joint approach may give them a better chance of beating other bids from Japan, Colombia, Brazil and Argentina.The decision was announced on the … [Read more...] about Australia and New Zealand enter joint FIFA Women’s World Cup bid
An Exhaustive List of Reasons to Root for Each World Cup Team
From left: Egypt’s Mohamed Saleh, France’s Olivier Giroud, South Korea’s Son Heung-min, and Brazil’s Neymar. Photo: Getty Images Thanks to a combination of mismanagement, organizational malaise, and bad chemistry, the U.S. men’s national team will miss the World Cup for the first time since 1986. But there’s at least one silver lining: Freed of all patriotic obligations, American fans are able to go into this summer’s tournament rooting for whichever team they choose. “Growing up in England, the best World Cups were the ones where England never qualified,” says Roger Bennett, co-host of the soccer podcast Men in Blazers, and co-author of the new Encyclopedia Blazertannica. “I just got to enjoy the the World Cup: the heroes, the villains, the neck tattoos, the terrible haircuts.” Bennett loves soccer so much that he enthusiastically told me I was posing “all the great questions” when I asked him things … [Read more...] about An Exhaustive List of Reasons to Root for Each World Cup Team
Women’s World Cup 2019: Latest Odds, Expert Predictions, Schedule Heading Into Second Week
The Women's World Cup heads into the second week with the pre-tournament favorites living up their billings so far.The United States women's national team (USNWT) thrashed Thailand 13-0 in their opening game of the campaign, the largest margin of victory in the history of either the men's or women's World Cup.Historic as the performance was, the players were criticized in some quarters for what some perceived to be unnecessarily gleeful celebrations.Alex Morgan, who scored four goals in the game, insisted the team was simply try to remain as professional as possible."When you're playing in a World Cup, every single goal may count at the end of the day," she told Sports Illustrated."That's what we were told before the game, and that's why we had to keep going." Controversy over the celebrations aside, the resounding win over Thailand illustrated the firepower at coach Jill Ellis's disposal. At the same time, Team USA's defense wasn't tested in the opening fixture and is unlikely to come … [Read more...] about Women’s World Cup 2019: Latest Odds, Expert Predictions, Schedule Heading Into Second Week