Rugby World Cup 2019: Canada captain says cancellation of Namibia match 'pretty disappointing'

Organisers said they were left with no option but to cancel Sunday's Pool B match in Kamaishi following landslides and flooding close to the stadium caused by Typhoon Hagibis

Canada captain Tyler Ardron, right, said the cancellation of their final Rugby World Cup Pool D match against Namibia was a 'weird' feeling. Reuters

Tyler Ardron said he was left with a "weird" feeling after Typhoon Hagibis forced the cancellation of Canada's final Rugby World Cup 2019 match against Namibia.

Organisers said they were left with no option but to cancel Sunday's Pool B match in Kamaishi following landslides and flooding close to the stadium.

It followed the cancellation of Saturday's pool matches between England and France and Italy and New Zealand because of safety fears caused by the approach of Hagibis, which has left 11 dead at least 11 dead and more than a dozen missing, according to Japanese officials

Tournament rules state pool matches that are called off will not be postponed.

Both Canada and Namibia were targeting a rare victory at rugby's global showpiece. Canada are without a win in their last 10 World Cup matches, while Namibia were looking to end a record run of 22 games at the tournament without a victory.

"I don't think it's really set in yet," Ardron, who plays his club rugby in New Zealand for the Waikato-based Chiefs. told reporters in Kamaishi.

"Everyone is still trying to process that, especially guys like DTH [van der Merwe], who probably had his chance to score a try in four World Cups in a row in this game, and isn't going to get a chance to even take the field, so I think it's pretty disappointing.

"It still feels weird."

Meanwhile Namibia coach Phil Davies, who would have been up against a fellow former Wales international in Canada boss Kingsley Jones if the game had gone ahead, backed the decision to call off the match, saying "safety is paramount".

"I've never seen so much rain and being from Wales we see a lot of rain, but it's been phenomenal and it was the right decision."