World Rugby officials are seeking urgent talks with the Japanese organisers of the 2019 rugby World Cup following Friday's surprise announcement by Japan’s Prime Minister, Shinzo Abethat, that Tokyo's proposed new national stadium won't be ready in time for the tournament.
"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 the contrary from the Japan Rugby 2019 Organising Committee and Japan Sports Council," a World Rugby spokesman told Press Association Sport.
"The National Stadium was a compelling and important pillar of Japan's successful bid to host Rugby World Cup 2019, which was awarded to the Japan Rugby Football Union in 2009.
"World Rugby is urgently seeking further detailed clarification from the Japan Rugby 2019 Organising Committee, and will need to consider the options relating to the impact of today's announcement."
The most likely replacement venue for the final is Yokohama's International Stadium, which hosted the 2002 soccer World Cup final between Brazil and Germany.
Yokohama's 72,000-seat stadium was not on the original shortlist of venues bidding to host matches but World Rugby officials agreed late last year to accept a late application from Yokohama and the Kanagawa Prefecture.
The proposed new national stadium was one of 12 cities picked to host matches at the tournament, which will be played between Sept. 6 and Nov 20, 2019.
There was no announcement from either the Japanese organisers or the government on whether they will look for an existing stadium in Tokyo or another city outside the capital to fill the void
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