Australia vs Portugal LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and final score as Wallabies keep faint hopes alive
Australia 34-14 Portugal: The Wallabies got the bonus-point win they needed but their World Cup hopes now rest on Fiji’s final match next week
Australia’s slender hopes of making it to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals survived another round of matches as they huffed and puffed to a 34-14 bonus-point victory against Portugal.
Eddie Jones’s Wallabies, who have now played all their games, will be eliminated in the group phase for the first time if Fiji take a point against Portugal next week in the Pool C finale.
Portugal led 7-3 after Pedro Bettencourt’s early converted try but the centre was then sin-binned for a high tackle and Australia made the most of it by scoring three tries through Richard Arnold, David Porecki and Angus Bell.
Fraser McReight touched down to secure the bonus point shortly after the break, while Marika Koroibete got a fifth with only a few minutes left.
Ben Donaldson added points from the tee as twice world champions Australia, who conceded a late converted try by Rafael Simoes after picking up two yellow cards, climbed to second on 11 points, three behind already-qualified Wales and only one ahead of Fiji.
Follow all the latest from the Pool C match below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds here, plus the latest tips and free bets on the World Cup here.
Australia 24-7 Portugal LIVE: 42 minutes
Koroibete has put in a stunning tackle on Sousa Guedes to dent Portugal’s attack.
That was brilliant from the Wallaby number 11.
Australia 24-7 Portugal LIVE: 41 minutes
We’re back underway for the second half
HT: Australia 24-7 Portugal
Just gearing up towards the second half of this contest now in Saint Etienne.
Still a way back into this for Portugal.
HT: Australia 24-7 Portugal
Here are some photos of the first-half action:
HT: Australia 24-7 Portugal LIVE:
The ball went forward, the Portuguese defence was solid, and that will be half time in Saint Etienne.
Australia’s lead might look dominant but it hasn’t been quite as simple for the Wallabies, who went behind 3-7 early in the game with Portugal scoring the first try.
Australia 24-7 Portugal LIVE: 40 minutes
Australia have a penalty and they go for touch instead of the points. This is likely to be the final play before half time as we are past the 40 minute mark.
Australia 24-7 Portugal LIVE: 38 minutes
No one can fault the Portuguese fans in this contest, they have been involved from the outset, on their feet at every chance and opportunity.
Australia 24-7 Portugal LIVE: 36 minutes
Portugal thought they had the try! It was a brilliant run forward, they broke the Australian line, but there will be review to see if scorer Nicolas Martins was in touch, and he was marginally over the line.
It was a brilliant lay off and an excellent run, but the tackle from Kellaway was just enough to prevent the try.
Australia 24-7 Portugal LIVE: 33 minutes
Since the numerical disadvantage was cancelled out by the return of Bettencourt following his yellow card, Portugal have been much more involved in this contest, especially going forwards.
Australia 24-7 Portugal LIVE: 33 minutes
Before this tournament Australia had only lost three times in the pools in nine world cups, but they have struggled already this tournament, with defeats to Wales and Fiji.
However, they have a healthy lead here and it’s already looking for a long way back for Portugal.
Although the Wallabies have just lost an advantage almost at the try line.
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