NANTES – It was good whilst it lasted. But, as often has proved the case in Australian rugby, it’s the hope that kills you.
Needing Fiji to capitulate and not take a point from their final Pool C pool match, Simon Raiwalui’s men nearly did just that against Portugal in Toulouse.
But nearly wasn’t enough, as Fiji snagged a crucial losing point in a dramatic and incredible 24-23 loss to Portugal.
The defeat was enough for Fiji to join the Wallabies on 11 points in the pool, but their earlier 22-15 victory in Saint Etienne was enough for them to leapfrog Eddie Jones’ side into second spot and set up a quarter-final against England next week in Marseille.
Francisco Fernandes celebrates during Portugal’s win over Fiji at Stadium de Toulouse on October 08, 2023 in Toulouse. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Twice Fiji fell behind by a converted try in the second half, as Raffaele Storti and Francisco Fernandes scored tries in the space of six minutes, but replacement prop Mesake Doge’s try in tight after sustained pressure on the Portuguese line looked to put Fiji on their way as he helped level the score.
Then, in the 74th minute, Frank Lomani edged Fiji closer with a penalty to take a 20-17 lead.
Lomani’s second penalty two minutes later looked to have sealed the deal, before Rodrigo Marta finished off a stunning try which allowed Samuel Marques to bang over a difficult conversion and give Portugal the late lead.
It was all Portugal needed, as they banged the ball into touch without a second thought of the misery unfolding in Australia as a result.
And nor should they have, either. This was a result to elevate the standing of so-called “tier-two” rugby across the world as Portugal produced one of the upsets of the World Cup and delivered the tournament the extraordinary finish to the pool stage that was needed to wake many up after five weeks.
For too long World Rugby have treated the rest of the world with contempt, resting on the riches that some can bring instead of seeing how the game can grow by expanding the pie.
Portugal, who would not have made the World Cup were it not for a scandal involving Spain, have sent a giant message to the suits at World Rugby that the rest needs nurturing, not scraps.
Raffaele Storti scored Portugal’s first try at Stadium de Toulouse on October 08, 2023 in Toulouse. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
Their desire to run the ball and play with expansion was the most refreshing aspect of this year’s World Cup.
Nor was it a fluke either, having pushed the Wallabies only a week early despite going down 34-14. They also went down just 28-8 to Wales, who topped Pool C, while drawing 18-18 with Georgia.
The result came a day after Samoa fell just one point short of Pool D winners England, who snuck home 18-17 in Lille.
Japan coach Jamie Joseph, who led the Highlanders to the Super Rugby title in 2015, agreed that more attention was needed.
“I think it’s the most important, and I think I could say it on behalf of all two-tier teams, that they’re quality rugby players but we can’t get quality time to develop those quality rugby players to play games like we witnessed today,” Joseph told reporters following their 39-27 loss to Argentina.
“This year, we played 10 tough games of rugby and now we’re starting to play to our potential.”
Mirt
Roar Rookie
Yeah, it’s up to them to tighten their defence, too many tries being scored thru those gaps. Mostly from the top teams
Michael
Roar Rookie
“It was good whilst it lasted“ is about as far as you can get from an accurate description of the Wallabies World Cup campaign I’d say.
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
Lucky we got the yelllow card
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
No I'm not only focused on the big few. I'd like more close games. Reality is, only 37.5% of games have been decided by less than 20 points. Only 20% by less than one score. Outside pool C, only 3 out of 30 games were one score games. When I have to wait 3 days for the next game and it's an 80 point blowout, I'm going to be disengaged.
Big Dave
Roar Rookie
Or actually do something to close the gaps.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
looked like they're in the AFL, or about to play a chucka of polo. good looking strip tho' - heaps better than the SAFA's away strip and NZ's one where some kiddies drawn all over it in crayon.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
have a blinder one week and beat the AB's and a Barry Crocker the next & lose to Guam the next
Qualify
Roar Rookie
At least they beat Portugal :stoked:
Mike
Roar Rookie
Thought Fiji just looked tired. Read they're doing massive extra training? Portugal were a bit unpredictable making it harder to react. And that backline, wow. If there was another week, wouldnt want to be playing them after that win!
WEST
Roar Guru
Hahaha rubs off! Haha that why we got thrashed by the Boks after the Dunedin game and the lose to France! Brilliant, let’s run with that :laughing:
WhoDis
Roar Rookie
I wasn’t miserable! I was so proud of Portugal. Well done Los Lobos.
Mungbean74
Roar Rookie
How good and how agonizing as a Walllabies supporter was is to watch Portugal win that! They played such entertaining rugby and how about some of their players. No 2, 14, 11 … I could go on. Well done Portugal.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
The pure, unadulterated pleasure that win gave the team and their supporters, and me, was something to behold. My WC highlight to date.
Mirt
Roar Rookie
That was the strip of the tournament for sure. As for the week of training I bet, just like me, the Wallabies we’re on the edge of their seats for the 80 minutes and hoping beyond hope that Portugal were going to extend that 7pt lead they got a couple of times. Talk about delaying the agony….
Mirt
Roar Rookie
Maybe when they pick the pools they can disqualify the top half a dozen teams.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
They caught the ‘wobblies’. :laughing:
Loosey
Roar Rookie
Bring it on I say, from what I’ve seen of Georgia, Chile, Uruguay and Portugal it can only be a good thing. The support for these teams has been incredible.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
Autumn internationals, he said top 10.
Aiden
Roar Rookie
Agree that there has been too much dead air between games. But perhaps you only watch the top tier teams play the minnows because there has been plenty of great rugby played. Japan v Argentina was the game of the tournament. I enjoy watching the 2nd tier teams play each other. And of course there are not the same blowouts when the bottom of the top tier play the top of tier 2. You are really just focusing on the four teams that are on fire this WC. It’s a strange fact that many rugby fans only want to watch the absolute best play and think all below that is rubbish. You don’t see this odd approach from fans of other sports.
Footy Franks
Roar Rookie
I just don’t think Fiji like being the favourite s