Tokyo Stadium not ready for RWC 2019

Reuters have reported that World Rugby officials are seeking urgent talks with organisers of the 2019 Rugby World Cup following Friday's surprise announcement that Japan's proposed new national stadium won't be ready in time for the tournament

The 80,000-seat stadium in Tokyo, which is also the centrepiece of the 2020 Olympics, was scheduled to host the biggest matches in 2019, including the opening game and the final of the first rugby World Cup awarded to Asia.

But those plans were all thrown out the window on Friday when Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced that the original stadium design was being scrapped because of escalating costs.

With construction yet to begin and the project now on hold while the Japanese government decides on a cheaper model, Abe conceded the stadium would not be ready for the rugby World Cup.

"We will not make it in time," Abe told a news conference.

Friday's shock announcement seemingly caught World Rugby officials by surprise, coming just months after they had publicly announced that the new Tokyo stadium would host the final.

"World Rugby is extremely disappointed by today's announcement that the new National Stadium will not be ready to host Rugby World Cup 2019 matches despite repeated assurances to contrary from the Japan Rugby 2019 Organising Committee and Japan Sports Council," World Rugby said in a statement on Friday.

For the full article, visit runningrugby.com.