(MENAFN- Arab Times) Japan were officially handed the Asia Rugby Championship Saturday but coach Eddie Jones claimed officials had rained on his team's parade after deciding to abandon their final game against Hong Kong.
A torrential downpour greeted players at Hong Kong's Aberdeen Stadium that turned biblical just after the 4 pm (0800 GMT) kick-off and with 13 minutes gone, and with Japan leading 3-0 thanks to an Ayumu Goromaru penalty.
The teams were called off the pitch for their own safety, first for 10 minutes and then for a further 20 minutes as officials kept their eyes skyward.
"I always thought rugby was a winter sport and you played in the rain," said Jones.
"What's dangerous out there? We said we wanted to play but the decision that's been made."
There was to be no more action, however, and as the rain continued to fall, Japan were officially handed a title they had claimed with their third straight win in the series - 66-10 over South Korea in Fukuoka two weeks ago.
The draw ensured Hong Kong finished the series in second place ahead of the Koreans.
Japan now turn their focus to the World Cup in the United Kingdom in September and October.
Jones said he had brought six players with him to Hong Kong hoping to see them stake their claims for that tournament. But it wasn't to be.
"I've got guys here who are playing for their World Cup spots so it's quite disappointing in terms of individuals and what the team wanted to achieve today. We've played Fiji in exactly the same [weather] as this," said Jones.
"It will be really hard for me to cut guys [from the squad] - that's why we were giving them this opportunity. Or we were hoping to."
Japan head home for a month's training camp and then a tune up in the United States before heading to the World Cup, which kicks off when England meet Fiji at Twickenham on Sept 18.
"We're progressing slowly and surely," said Jones. "But we've got a long way to go. Every team improves before the World Cup and we've got to make sure we improve more than the rest."
Japan have never yet missed out on playing at the World Cup but their seven appearances have so far brought them one win - 52-8 over Zimbabwe in 1991 - and two draws.
"We're aiming to make the quarter-finals this time," said Jones. "You've got to go there aiming to make it out of the pool stage."
Ma'a Nonu celebrated joining mentor Tana Umaga as having played the most games for the Wellington Hurricanes as his side qualified for the Super Rugby playoffs for the first time since 2009 with a 29-5 win over the Auckland Blues on Saturday.
Nonu, who was sensationally dumped by then coach Mark Hammett at the conclusion of the 2011 season, returned to the Hurricanes for his final campaign before he heads to France after two years at the Blues and one with the Otago Highlanders.
The match at Eden Park was his 122nd appearance for the Hurricanes, who made seven changes to their starting side from last week's tense 22-18 victory over the Waikato Chiefs.
Coach Chris Boyd had made five changes before the game and winger Cory Jane and lock James Broadhurst were late withdrawals.
Jane's withdrawal forced a major rejig of the backline with Otere Black coming in at flyhalf and James Marshall shifting to fullback while Nehe Milner-Skudder moved to the right wing.
Even with all of the changes, the table-topping Hurricanes were too strong and disciplined for the Blues, who are also in turmoil off the field as debate rages over the future of coach John Kirwan.
New Zealand's Otago Highlanders consolidated their place in the Super Rugby play-off positions with a comprehensive 23-3 win over Western Force in Perth on Saturday.
The Highlanders dominated territory and possession to score two second-half tries after shading the Force 6-3 at half-time.
In skipper Ben Smith's 100th Super Rugby match for the Highlanders, John Hardie scored off a rolling maul while scrum-half Aaron Smith backed up to score with six minutes left.
Fly-half Lima Sopoaga provided a solid goal-kicking performance with a conversion, two penalties and a drop goal. Replacement Marty Banks kicked the other conversion.
The Highlanders are locked in a battle with the Waikato Chiefs for second position in the New Zealand conference behind the Wellington Hurricanes and, following their win over the Force, they join the Chiefs on a 9-4 record.
The New South Wales Waratahs virtually ended Canterbury Crusaders' proud playoff run by beating the New Zealanders 32-22 on Saturday in a pulsating repeat of last year's Super Rugby final.
Hulking Fijian Taqele Naiyaravoro scored two tries, with fellow winger Rob Horne and flyhalf Bernard Foley bursting clear for the others as the champions moved top of the Australian Conference with only three matches remaining.
The Sydney-based side sit three points clear of the ACT Brumbies after their ninth win of the campaign.
The Crusaders have missed the playoff only three times in 19 years and not since 2001 but the seven-times champions stand staring at an unusually early finish to their campaign following a seventh defeat in 13 matches.
They trail the Super Rugby leading Wellington Hurricanes by 21 points in ninth place in the overall table and are away at the table toppers next week.
The Crusaders had burst out the blocks with a try in the second minute by their own muscular Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo after Naiyaravoro had fumbled the kick-off.
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