Rugby World Cup 2019: All Blacks versus Italy match to be cancelled over typhoon

The All Blacks' final Rugby World Cup Pool match against Italy in Toyota will be cancelled due to Super Typhoon Hagibis, Newshub understands. 

World Rugby is set to make an official announcement at 4pm (NZ time), and it is believed the  England versus France match will also be called off. 

• Key fixtures at risk of cancellation as Super Typhoon Hagibis escalates

The tropical storm which is poised to strike Japan on Saturday afternoon has escalated this week and been described by the Japan Meteorological Agency as "violent".

World Rugby's rules say that any games cancelled because of bad weather are registered a scoreless draws, with both sides awarded two points.

Steve Hansen's side would still top Pool B, earning a quarter-final against the second-placed team from Pool A which could be any one of Ireland, Japan or Scotland.

The All Blacks were scheduled to face Italy at 5:45pm on Saturday with England versus France taking place at 9:15pm on the same night. 

Both England and France have already qualified for the quarter-finals. 

The All Blacks were expected hold a media confrence at 3:30pm (NZ time), but it has since been pushed back two hours. 

They were expected to name a full-strength team for their final hitout against Italy ahead of the quarter-finals. 

There is also doubt hanging over the following day's crucial Japan v Scotland encounter in Yokohama - the same city where England face France - which sits directly in the typhoon's path, but no official word has been announced.

If games are cancelled it would be the first time in the 32-year history of the tournament.

Newshub.