THE SMUG, THE ARROGANT AND THE UPSET

The fallout from Typhoon 19 continues, and it has not even arrived yet. First, let me put it out there, rugby is unimportant compared to public safety, so yes games at risk should not be played. Second, may I also point out that, as there was the risk of typhoons affecting matches, surely World Rugby should have made some contingency plans, even agreeing to play games behind closed doors. Those in business will know that the boss always likes solutions better than just problems.

Everyone looks at impact of events like this through a different lens, and, also, at times of crisis, people reveal their true colours. Eddie Jones, England's pompous coach, is full of the joys of spring, as having won the group (by default), not only do his team now face Australia not Wales (the stronger team in ranking and form), he also gets to return the England squad back to the Japanese "Isle of Wight", where he almost bought a house, for over a week's worth of rest & recuperation, allowing some of his best players (Billy, Owen, Jack) to get fit for the QF. Not content with this turn of a friendly card, SMUG Eddie, feels he needs to make the observation that Scotland and Italy should have played better, and accumulated more points by this stage, so then wouldn't need to win their last game. And that every team should have been prepared for typhoons - well, I wish he had told World Rugby that before the tournament. But of course, looking at it through the England lens, Eddie would say that, despite the fact that they have huffed and puffed their way passed Tonga, USA and 14 man Argentina, whereas Scotland and Italy have had to play Top 4 teams in Ireland and South Africa respectively.

Is that Scotch mist I can feel?

Steve Hansen, the most miserable man on the planet, also waded into the debate, and (through the Kiwi lens) pointed out that cancelling their game was such an easy decision that even Trump would have made it. He hardly spared a thought for the Italians (Tier 2 nation) who could have still qualified for the QF at NZ's expense, had they beaten them without conceding a losing point. But of course ARROGANT Steve never even considered that a possibility, despite the fact that NZ conceded over 50 points to an average Australian team a few months ago. So you have to admire Sergio Parisse, the Italian legend (who being high on emotion having missed out on his RWC farewell) declared that if the shoe was on the other foot, and cancelling the game resulted in NZ being knocked out before the QF's then a different decision might have been made.

Something we will not see again this RWC

And also spare a thought for VERY UPSET Italy hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini, who broke down in tears after learning he would not be playing in what would have been a farewell match for his country. He has spent six months rehabbing after injuring himself in the last game of the Six Nations, and spent months and time away from his family doing so. He just missed out on selection for the game against Canada and South Africa, but was set to play this weekend - not the way to end a 14 year career.

Anyway, we await the decision on Japan v Scotland, which, due to the England and New Zealand cancelled match precedents cannot be postponed and replayed. My gut tells me that weather will prevail and Scotland will suffer the same fate as Italy, and I will not get the chance to wear my kilt one last time at RWC 2019.