Former England boss Eddie Jones sees his Australia aspect safe a significant bonus-point victory in opposition to Portugal to maintain their slim hopes of qualifying for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals alive; they need to now hope Fiji don’t acquire any factors in opposition to the identical opponents subsequent week
Final Up to date: 01/10/23 7:11pm
Australia’s Izaia Perese runs with the ball through the Rugby World Cup match in opposition to Portugal in Saint-Etienne
Australia secured a bonus-point 34-14 victory in opposition to Portugal in unconvincing style as they stored their slim hopes of qualifying for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals alive.
The Wallabies would have been eradicated from the World Cup on the pool stage for the primary time had Fiji secured a bonus-point win in opposition to Georgia in Bordeaux on Saturday.
Fiji received the sport 17-12 however the Pacific Islanders’ failure to gather 5 factors meant Australia retained an out of doors likelihood of constructing the quarter-finals.
Australia subsequently sealed the bonus-point win in Saint-Etienne on Sunday and should now hope Fiji don’t acquire any factors in opposition to the identical opponents subsequent week.
Ben Donaldson’s penalty put the primary factors on the board for Australia 4 minutes in, however Portugal scored the primary strive of the sport as Pedro Bettencourt crossed within the nook with Samuel Marques changing.
Bettencourt was then sin-binned, however Donaldson missed the next penalty and the Wallabies shortly responded with a attempt to retake the lead as Richie Arnold crossed, with Donaldson in a position to convert.
With Portugal a person down, the tries got here in fast succession for Australia from Dave Porecki and Angus Bell, with Donaldson including the extras.
Nicolas Martins thought he had pulled a strive again for Portugal simply earlier than the break however it was chalked off due to Andrew Kellaway’s sort out and Australia led 24-7 at half-time.
Fraser McReight secured the bonus level for the Wallabies
Fraser McReight crossed six minutes into the second half to safe the bonus level the Wallabies wanted to remain alive within the event, earlier than Portugal had one other strive disallowed after Mike Tadjer misplaced management of the ball.
There was hazard for Australia as they have been decreased to 13 when Matt Faessler and Samu Kerevi have been sin-binned inside two minutes of one another.
Portugal took benefit as Rafael Simoes scored a transformed strive with 10 minutes to go, however Marika Koroibete added Australia’s fifth attempt to end the sport off.
In 9 earlier World Cups, Australia – who received the event in 1991 and 1999 – have by no means failed to succeed in the knockout phases.
