Are the Wallabies heading home, or moving to Marseille? Join The Roar to find out from 5.45am AEDT Monday.
Portugal, whose best result was a draw with Georgia earlier this campaign, need to beat Fiji by eight or more points and keep Fiji under four tries for Australia to get a miracle reprieve and a knockout against England.
Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui has made six changes to his starting XV that defeated Georgia, with two in the forward pack and four in the backs.
Josua Tuisova, whose son died before the Fijians’ win over Georgia, will start.
“We’ve had some outstanding training, the guys have put their hands up. There have been some bangs and bruises from the last match and a couple of others who have really earned their spots,” said Raiwalui.
“We had a few things to work on after the Georgia game, they tested us in certain areas, especially in the first half. The boys, to their credit, answered those questions. We went back to basics this week.”
Tomas Appleton drops to the bench with José Lima taking his place as captain and inside-centre in one of five changes to the starting XV from Portugal’s last game against Australia.
“We tried to build the best team possible for this game, to keep competing,” said coach Patrice Lagisquet.
“We could make another choice, it could be much easier for the staff to give opportunity to all the players of the squad to play during this World Cup. Because this team has shown a big capacity to compete against any team, we’ve decided that we just kept the same line, the same mindset, and tried to build the most competitive team.
“For some players our choices were very difficult to understand because after three and a half months they expected to play, and also because of the mindset they had during this period, they also deserved to play to be honest.
“Some of the players, we’ve finished their career and they expected to play this last game but we’ve explained why we’ve done these choices, even if it’s very difficult for players to accept and understand when they are not in the 23.”
Kick-off: 6am (AEDT)
Venue: Stadium de Toulouse
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: Fiji $1.06, Portugal $7.75 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Fiji (1-15): Eroni Mawi, Samuel Matavesi, Luke Tagi, Isoa Nasilasila, Temo Mayanavanua, Meli Derenalagi, Levani Botia, Viliame Mata, Frank Lomani, Vilimoni Botitu, Vinaya Habosi, Josua Tuisova, Waisea Nayacalevu (c), Selesitino Ravutaumada, Sireli Maqala.
Replacements: Tevita Ikanivere, Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Albert Tuisue, Peni Matawalu, Teti Tela, Iosefo Masi.
Portugal (1-15): Francisco Fernandes, Mike Tadjer, Diogo Hasse Ferreira, José Madeira, Steevy Cerqueira, David Wallis, Nicolas Martins, Rafael Simões, Samuel Marques, Jerónimo Portela, Rodrigo Marta, José Lima (c), Pedro Bettencourt, Raffaele Storti, Manuel Cardoso Pinto.
Replacements: David Costa, Duarte Diniz, Anthony Alves, Duarte Torgal, João Granate, João Belo, Tomás Appleton, Vincent Pinto.
Gary
Roar Rookie
Yeah “Tier 2 at best “ maybe Tier 3 on a bad day ? Is there a T3 ? Good on ya mate you’re really buying into the hyperbole !
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
This is what the neutrals love..the underdog winning with heart… Samoa and Japan also made their last matches for the brutal more entertaining but unfortunately could not do the upset despite pushing England and Argentina respectively. Anyhow japan and Fiji making the case to be included as part of expanded RC..just do it I reckon with promotion and relegation via playoff for 6th place side included ie the outsider has to beat the 6th place side to get a jersey
Cec
Roar Rookie
Fiji need to reset and rest up. It’s a new tournament from here but yeah Eng will be tough to beat.
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Yeh good games from Japan and Portugal…Reinforces why we need global league to have promotion and relegation
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Whilst all credit to Portugal gees hard to see Fiji any chance to beat England but at least they are in the quarterfinals…cough cf those tier 2 sides who are not…
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Best upset for me since South Africa vs Japan pool match in 2015…not as big an upset though as Portugal been playing good footy against all sides and have much to be proud of with also a win and draw…
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
Got to watch the 28 minute highlights after a kiwi told me on work zoom call the Portugal win but also wallabies being out…guessed he saved me hope watching the highlights… Well done Portugal as deserved their first win as they were credible opponent in all matches.
Try Hard
Roar Rookie
Thank God the Wallabies are out of the competition. It was going to get more embarrassing as time went on. Now Eddie, Hamish and Phil fix the code in Australia and get us back to where we were in 2001.
IanT
Roar Rookie
Oh dear, sounds like Eddie is covering himself through to retirement age.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
:laughing: Wearing a ice hockey goalie mask
woodart
Roar Rookie
pretty sure gibson wasnt responsible for the players brain freezes this morning, and the very unfiji like ball mishandling skills.
Lorry
Roar Rookie
4 years? Eddie said it's gonna take 6, so we should be ready for RWC 2031...
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
best game I have enjoyed meant World Cup game I have most enjoyed
jaysper
Roar Guru
I don't think Australia were unlucky, just bad. This has been a long time coming and I only hope having the town clock fall on their heads will cause them to take the appropriate action and that it will succeed.
Kashmir Pete
Roar Guru
Tony I expected Fiji to come out and smash Portugal (in sense of intent, rather than result). Had no idea what an excellent team of rugby players Portugal have - is their coach available for us? Absolutely, best game I have enjoyed, since seeing France v Australia semi at Homebush in 1987. Thrill of Cheika teams unexpected win against Wales in 2015, was a thriller. These 3 games stand out. So satisfied as rugby fan by this game. So glad, took punt this morning at 7am, to watch entire replay from scratch, without knowing the result :stoked: . Looking forward to knockout stage. At this point, barracking for all 7 teams (ie except Harry's Boks) :laughing: Cheers KP
jaysper
Roar Guru
Yeah, super plucky and easy to like just like the Japanese.
jaysper
Roar Guru
Yeah, totally understandable and I will still be hoping the ABs can beat the Irish, but I think it would be an injustice if the Irish go home and the ABs stay.
Cec
Roar Rookie
Great energy from Portugal, well done to them. Portugal is more enterprising and entertaining than WB sad to say. Fiji look like a tired team or perhaps the pressure and expectation is something they need to adjust to. I think going into Eng as underdogs & with nothing to lose will suit them better. Pierce had some dubious ref call’s there in the rucks. Anyway that at least ends Ed & Hamish’s tour from hell. So time to come home boys and recover from Eddie the enigma.
Junior Harlequin
Roar Rookie
Not even Howard Hughes tried to build the plane while flying it. And yet this is what Jones and his rag bag collective of so called assistants tried to do. Houdini would have shaken his head at this kind of attempted “smash and grab.” As for the pool system it needs serious change. If I’m a fan of the top four I’m not happy. We could have some v one sided semis.
Junior Harlequin
Roar Rookie
Well, Eddie has revived English rugby. By leaving!