Rugby World Cup 2019: USA training cancelled as Typhoon Tapah threatens tournament disruption

The storm, the 17th recorded typhoon of the season in Japan, is powering through the Okinawa island chain, where USA have set their base for the early stages of the World Cup

USA’s training session ahead of their World Cup opener with England has been cancelled after Typhoon Tapah made landfall on Japan’s southernmost main island.

The storm, the 17th recorded typhoon of the season in Japan, is powering through the Okinawa island chain, where USA have set their base for the early stages of the World Cup, with winds over 70mph recorded in the region.

Tapah is set to head northeast, possibly brushing the southernmost main island of Kyushu and the western tip of Honshu island from Sunday through Monday.

Several typhoons a year pass through Japan’s four main islands and the World Cup is being held in peak typhoon season. On 9 September, a storm roared ashore just east of Tokyo, knocking out power to hundreds of thousands of people.

“Based on the latest weather information ... the typhoon could bring high winds and heavy rain to the southern island of Kyushu on the evening of Sept. 22 and into Sept. 23,” the World Cup organising committee said in a statement.

“While no match disruption is anticipated at this stage, we have advised teams of potential disruption to training and team movements as a precautionary measure.

Italy play Canada in Fukuoka on 26 September and there are also matches in Oita and Kumamoto, but not until October.

“As a precaution for fans, Kumamoto and Fukuoka have also announced the temporary closure of their Fanzones on Sept. 21 and 22,” the committee said.

Tapah, a Malaysian word for a type of giant catfish, will strengthen as it moves northeast and become a Category 1 storm as it approaches closest to Kyushu.

Some forecasts of its track show it moving slightly further north, minimising its direct impact on Japan, although it is likely to bring heavy rain and wind to Kyushu over the weekend.