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Kamaishi may yet host Canada vs Namibia. The Japanese city was to play host to the fixture on Sunday October 13, 2019. However, the match was cancelled as a result of Typhoon Hagibis. This saw both Canada and Namibia playing three rather than four pool matches each at RWC 2019.
World Rugby Vice Chairman, Agustín Pichot was in attendance at Fiji vs Uruguay in Kamaishi. With him now campaigning for the top position of World Rugby Chairman he has been busy taking interviews from around the globe.
He told Rich Freeman of Kyodo News that:
“I would love to see the Canada versus Namibia game played there at some stage in the future.”
The cancellation was disappointing for the players, fans and the locals. The venue was allocated two matches at RWC 2019. The prior fixture was Fiji vs Uruguay, one of the greatest upset results in the history of Rugby World Cup.
Canada vs Namibia loomed as being a match in which either side could win. This was so despite the Canadians having history on their side. Canada beat Namibia 72-11 at RWC 1999 but won by four points at Colwyn Bay, Wales in November 2014.
The Africans were targeting Canada as their first ever RWC victory. There was reason to suggest they were well-placed. Indeed, Namibia’s performance against Canada in Osaka was superior to that of Canada against the same opponent.
In the event that Pichot is elected to Chairman of World Rugby then Canada vs Namibia may yet get to be played. It would be a welcome return match and an ideal setting for a neutral encounter.
