Japan loses Pacific Cup to Fiji over nuclear fears
Source: Agencies |
April 27, 2011, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
JAPAN has been ordered to move five Pacific Nations Cup matches to Fiji in the wake of last month's deadly earthquake and tsunami and fears over the current nuclear crisis.
The Japan Rugby Football Union said yesterday only the July 2 curtain-raiser against Samoa had survived after the International Rugby Board decided on the switch.
Japan coach John Kirwan called the IRB decision "disappointing" but said it would not disrupt his team's World Cup plans.
"There was probably some fear involved (behind the decision)," the former New Zealand All Black said. "I think it would have been better to play the games in Japan and help the Japanese people get back to normal as quickly as possible.
"But it won't make any difference to the World Cup preparation," added Kirwan, looking ahead to rugby's showcase event that begins in New Zealand on September 9.
"We'll deal with it."
IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset defended the decision.
"This has been a hard decision for everyone involved," he said. "But all stakeholders agreed that it is in the best interests of the Union, the nation and the tournament."
Apart from Japan's opener against Samoa in Tokyo, the remainder of the competition from July 9-13 will be held in Fiji, which hosted the 2009 Pacific Nations Cup.
The JRFU took the decision on the chin.
"The relocation of matches was a difficult decision," JRFU General Secretary Tatsuzo Yabe told reporters.
"It was a great disappointment ... but it was the logical decision."
The Japan Rugby Football Union said yesterday only the July 2 curtain-raiser against Samoa had survived after the International Rugby Board decided on the switch.
Japan coach John Kirwan called the IRB decision "disappointing" but said it would not disrupt his team's World Cup plans.
"There was probably some fear involved (behind the decision)," the former New Zealand All Black said. "I think it would have been better to play the games in Japan and help the Japanese people get back to normal as quickly as possible.
"But it won't make any difference to the World Cup preparation," added Kirwan, looking ahead to rugby's showcase event that begins in New Zealand on September 9.
"We'll deal with it."
IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset defended the decision.
"This has been a hard decision for everyone involved," he said. "But all stakeholders agreed that it is in the best interests of the Union, the nation and the tournament."
Apart from Japan's opener against Samoa in Tokyo, the remainder of the competition from July 9-13 will be held in Fiji, which hosted the 2009 Pacific Nations Cup.
The JRFU took the decision on the chin.
"The relocation of matches was a difficult decision," JRFU General Secretary Tatsuzo Yabe told reporters.
"It was a great disappointment ... but it was the logical decision."
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