| Australia: (24) 34 |
| Tries: Arnold, Porecki, Bell, McReight, Koroibete Con: Donaldson (3) Pens: Donaldson |
| Portugal: (7) 14 |
| Tries: Bettencourt, Simoes Con: Marques (2) |
Australia saved their slim hopes of reaching the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals alive with a bodily win over Portugal of their closing pool match.
The Wallabies beat a powerful Portugal 34-14 to go second in Pool C.
However third-placed Fiji want only one level from their very own match towards Portugal subsequent week to overhaul Australia and advance as an alternative.
Portugal had taken an early lead however Eddie Jones’ aspect ran in 5 tries to safe a bonus-point win in St Etienne.
Australia led 24-7 at half-time and secured a fourth bonus-point attempt within the forty seventh minute.
Portugal, who missed a late penalty in an exhilarating 18-18 draw with Georgia final trip, once more began quick as they hunted a primary World Cup win.
Pedro Bettencourt crossed over within the nook after some deft attacking to place the underdogs 7-3 up within the Eleventh minute.
However they had been briefly diminished to 14 males when Bettencourt was yellow carded for main together with his shoulder on a excessive sort out on Izaia Perese.
He survived a bunker evaluate however whereas he was within the sin bin Richie Arnold, Dave Porecki and Angus Bell all crossed to place Australia in management.
Portugal’s Nicolas Martins had a attempt within the nook dominated out after going into contact simply earlier than the break which might have reduce the deficit to 10, and Fraser McReight added one other Australia attempt after the restart to safe an important bonus-point.
Portugal had a second attempt disallowed within the 58th minute when hooker Mike Tadjer misplaced management of the ball in his end, however they ended strongly as Australia’s Matt Faessler and Samu Kerevi had been each proven late yellow playing cards, permitting Rafael Simoes so as to add a second attempt towards 13.
As soon as Australia returned to fifteen although they wrestled again the momentum and Marika Koroibete went over for the ultimate rating with seven minutes remaining.
Aussies nonetheless prone to limp out of World Cup
Australia began their World Cup with a convincing win over Georgia, however had been then crushed 22-15 by Fiji earlier than struggling a report 40-6 loss to Wales.
That victory for Fiji means they solely must match Australia’s factors tally to advance due to their superior head-to-head report.
Which means Australia’s match with Portugal will in all chance be their final at this 12 months’s World Cup, having now performed all 4 of their pool matches.
They’ve by no means earlier than didn’t advance to the knockout phases of a World Cup.
The Wallabies are led by Jones, who took England to the World Cup closing in 2019 and likewise led Australia to a house closing in 2003.
Requested after the match how his crew would put together this week, not understanding their World Cup destiny, Jones stated: “I’ve by no means skilled this earlier than so I actually do not know.
“We’re anticipating we’ll be within the quarter-finals so we now have plans to have three days off after which three days coaching.
“We’ll see on Sunday evening. Portugal performed with loads of spirit tonight so that you by no means know.”
Line-ups
Australia: Kellaway; Nawaqanitawase, Perese, Foketi, Koroibete; Donaldson, McDermott; Bell, Porecki (capt), Slipper; Frost, Arnold; Hooper, McReight, Valentini.
Replacements: Faessler, Schoupp, Fa’amausili, Leota, Kemeny, Fines-Leleiwasa, Kerevi, Vunivalu.
Portugal: Guedes; Storti, Bettencourt, Appleton (capt), Marta; Portela, Marques; Costa, Tadjer, Ferreira; Madeira; Belo, Wallis, Martins, De Freitas.
Replacements: Fernandes, Diniz, Bruno, Cerqueira, Simoes; Belo, Moura, Cardoso Pinto.
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)