Last Saturday, in Montevideo, the Portuguese Rugby team, the Lobos, made history when the team qualified for the one remaining place in the Rugby World Cup finals to be played in France later this year. It is the first time that Portugal has qualified.
In Lisbon two weeks ago, the first leg was contested and, at home, Portugal beat Uruguay, 12-5, with all the points being scored in the second half. It was a 2 tries to one victory and both Portuguese tries came whilst a Uruguay player was in the sin bin.
The second leg was played on Saturday in Montevideo and Portugal had to win or lose by less than seven points to proceed to the finals. Uruguay, despite having a player red carded (sent from the field) after 15 minutes for violent play, won scoring two tries to nil for an 18-12.
This meant that although each side won a game, Portugal was through the October Rugby World Cup in France. with a 24-23 aggregate. The team has been placed in Pool C with New Zealand, Scotland, Italy and Romania. This is a hard pool but the Lobos will be keen to show their ability and the determination that has marked their performances in recent European championships.
Jeff Davies
Guest
It is excellent for the game that "new" countries like Portugal are knocking on the door. The recent form of the Pumas and the Azzuri has shown that with the right focus and nurturing, rugby can flourish competitively around the globe - as it should. Don't want to harp on about the league V union debate but the global nature of rugby is clearly a massive and almost unassailable advantage, and one the IRB should be pushing and developing for all its worth. And one last comment about minnows, in agreement with Mitch, ...on current form, isn't that what Australia would be considered and no-one is talking about excluding them from the RWC! He he!
Mitch
Guest
I would just like to say it is fantastic that each RWC has had one debutant or more. I dont buy into what the cynics believe in that lop sided contests at the WCbdont make good viewing. Who cares? The joy of rugby is being spread far and wide, and you can obviously see from the joy in the above fotos that the supposed "minnows" are estatic to be in the competition. If they want to be there, then who can deny them? Japan keeps coming back for more, even though they (correct me if i am wrong) havent won a game... It shouldnt be an elitest competition; the more the merrier.
Lance
Guest
Look at the passion in the guy's eyes! Anyone who's played Rugby knows that feeling. That is what Rugby is about. Not contract negotiations.