Scotland legend, John Rutherford, has backed the decision by Rugby World Cup officials to cancel games, with a typhoon poised to wreak havoc to parts of Japan this weekend.
However, the renowned stand-off, who was part of Scotland’s Grand Slam-winning team in 1984, has questioned whether the authorities should not have acted sooner to avoid a situation where Sunday’s crucial match between Scotland and Japan might have to be cancelled because of the storm.
If that scenario happens, the Scots will be eliminated from the tournament, while the hosts will progress to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history.
Rutherford told the Press and Journal: “Yes, it was right to cancel the England v France and New Zealand v Italy games [on Saturday] as there can be no risk to people’s safety.
“However, considering the organisers knew it was typhoon season, I would have thought that access to roofed stadiums would be available to get games played.
“Even so, travel to and from stadiums for teams and supporters would be dangerous, so this isn’t an easy situation and I’m not with the conspiracy theorists.
“I believe the organisers will do all they can to get the Japan v Scotland game played.”
Even if the contest survives the typhoon, Rutherford has said Scotland will need to produce a “huge defensive effort” to beat Japan and deny them a bonus point.
The international stand-off, rated as his country’s greatest No 10 by many people, was impressed with how his compatriots performed while trouncing Samoa and Russia without conceding any points in their last two matches in the tournament.
But the 1984 Grand Slam winner insisted Gregor Townsend’s side would face a totally different proposition when they tackle the hosts, who have already beaten Ireland.
He said: “The challenge is considerable, but our coaches and players know what is required, a win and to deprive Japan of a bonus point.
“Japan are a good side, they can play at pace and they have fantastic passing skills throughout their squad. They have also developed a strong pack of forwards and can vary their point of attack, so it will take a huge defensive effort.
“Then you have to also consider the impact of the crowd. The Japanese support has been awesome and this will drive their players for 80 minutes.
“This can really help them. But it can also put enormous pressure on the home team as it did during their first game against Russia.
“Tactically, it’s not easy as Scotland, because we are at our best when we are playing a high tempo, offloading game, but we have to keep things tight as well.
“I think we’ll see quite a bit of kicking from our half backs and Stuart Hogg, similar to the way they played against Samoa.
“But we’ll just have to wait and see what happens. It is tough for everybody just now.”
