Australia kept their dreams of advancing to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals alive with a physical and impressive performance against Portugal. In a thrilling clash, the Wallabies secured a 34-14 victory, solidifying their position in Pool C.
The match began with Portugal taking the lead, as Pedro Bettencourt crossed over in the corner in the 11th minute, putting the underdogs ahead 7-3. However, their momentum was temporarily disrupted when Bettencourt was shown a yellow card for a high tackle, reducing Portugal to 14 men. During his time in the sin bin, Australia capitalized with tries from Richie Arnold, Dave Porecki, and Angus Bell, putting them in control of the game.
Australia continued to dominate, leading 24-7 at half-time and securing a crucial bonus-point try in the 47th minute through Fraser McReight. Portugal showed resilience but had a second try disallowed due to a lost ball in the finish. They did manage to score a second try against 13 Australian players late in the game when Matt Faessler and Samu Kerevi were both shown yellow cards. However, Australia regained control when they returned to 15 players, and Marika Koroibete added the final score with seven minutes remaining.
Australia’s journey in the World Cup has been a rollercoaster. They started with a convincing win over Georgia but faced a setback with a 22-15 loss to Fiji, followed by a record 40-6 defeat to Wales. Fiji’s victory over Wales meant that they only needed to match Australia’s points tally to advance due to their superior head-to-head record. As a result, Australia’s match against Portugal is likely to be their last in this year’s World Cup, marking a historic departure from the knockout stages, a first for the Wallabies.
Eddie Jones, who led England to the World Cup final in 2019 and also guided Australia to a home final in 2003, is at the helm of the Wallabies. The team featured players like Kellaway, Nawaqanitawase, Perese, Foketi, and Koroibete, who contributed to their victory against Portugal.
In summary, Australia’s win against Portugal was a crucial one, but their World Cup journey is likely to end in the pool stage due to Fiji’s superior position. This unexpected turn of events adds an intriguing chapter to the rugby drama unfolding in the tournament.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rugby World Cup
Q: Did Australia secure a win against Portugal in the Rugby World Cup?
A: Yes, Australia secured a vital win against Portugal in the Rugby World Cup, with a final score of 34-14.
Q: How did the match unfold in terms of scoring?
A: Portugal took an early lead with a try from Pedro Bettencourt, but Australia responded with a flurry of tries, leading 24-7 at halftime. They secured a bonus-point try in the 47th minute and maintained their dominance throughout the match.
Q: What is the significance of this win for Australia’s World Cup hopes?
A: While this win keeps Australia’s slim hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive, their chances are still uncertain. Fiji, currently in third place in the same pool, only needs one point in their next match against Portugal to overtake Australia and advance instead.
Q: Who are some key players in the Australian team mentioned in the article?
A: Notable players in the Australian team include Kellaway, Nawaqanitawase, Perese, Foketi, and Koroibete, who played pivotal roles in the victory against Portugal.
Q: Why is this World Cup journey significant for Australia?
A: This World Cup journey is significant because, for the first time in their history, Australia faces the possibility of not advancing to the knockout stages, due to their previous losses and Fiji’s strong performance.
Q: Who is the coach of the Australian team?
A: Eddie Jones is the coach of the Australian team. He has a notable coaching history, having led England to the World Cup final in 2019 and previously guided Australia to a home final in 2003.
More about Rugby World Cup
- Rugby World Cup Official Website
- BBC Sport – Rugby World Cup
- Australia Rugby Team Profile
- Portugal Rugby Team Profile
3 comments
aus vs portugal – big win! fiji – big trouble. hope aus make quarter-finals.
Rugby action hot, aus fight 4 spot, but fiji’s got upper hand.
Australia roar back in rugby, but Fiji could steal show. Drama!