Rugby World Cup 2019: Canada players help recovery effort after Namibia match cancelled
- Published
2019 Rugby World Cup |
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Hosts: Japan Dates: 20 September to 2 November |
Coverage: Full commentary on every game across BBC Radio 5 Live and Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, plus text updates on the BBC Sport website and app. |
Canada players helped with recovery efforts in Kamaishi after their World Cup match against Namibia on Sunday was called off because of safety concerns.
At least 18 people have died as torrential rain and tornado-like winds from Typhoon Hagibis are affecting large parts of Japan.
Japan has deployed tens of thousands of troops and rescue workers.
A minute's silence was held before Wales' Pool D match against Uruguay in Kumamoto on Sunday.
Scotland's decisive Pool A match against hosts Japan in Yokohama will go ahead on Sunday.
The New Zealand v Italy and England v France games scheduled for Saturday were cancelled.
Namibia and Canada occupied the bottom two places in Pool B with only two points apiece.
Rugby World Cup organisers posted footage on social media of Canada players helping with the clean-up effort in Kamaishi after damage caused by the typhoon in what could be the country's worst storm for 60 years.
"Following the cancellation of their match in Kamaishi, Rugby Canada players headed out to help with recovery efforts, showing the true values of the game," it said.
"Amazing scenes and brilliant to see from the team."
Canada utility back Peter Nelson said: "We were gutted our game was cancelled but at a time like this, there are a lot more important things than rugby.
"When we got here we saw people's houses destroyed and we tried to do our very small part to help them however we can.
"The people here have made the tournament. It is such a friendly nation - it is only right to try to give back as much as we can."
Organisers said there had been "landslides and flooding" in the vicinity of the Kamaishi Stadium and "along access roads to the venue following torrential rain" throughout the night.
"The safety of all involved in #RWC2019 is our primary consideration and fans are advised not to travel to Kamaishi or the venue, which will be closed.
"Ticket holders will be entitled to a full face-value refund."
Earlier on Sunday, Tonga ended their Pool C campaign with a 31-19 win over United States in Hanazono.
Tournament director Alan Gilpin said: "Kumamoto, Hanazono and Yokohama are much further south and therefore outside of the impact of the storm conditions this morning."
