A weekend of rugby drama sets up titanic quarter-final clashes
It took until the very last of 40 pool stage games for the quarterfinalist to be confirmed in a match that had two winners and one loser.
Portugal heroically won their first game in a Rugby World Cup, defeating Fiji 24 to 23 in Toulouse. But Fiji gained a vital bonus point for losing by seven or fewer, thus advancing to a quarter-final against England. For the Wallabies, there would be no lottery win-style escape. After a week of waiting, they were put out of their misery, crashing out of the Rugby Union World Cup before the quarter-finals for the first time.
Rodrigo Marta of Portugal scores his team’s third try during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Fiji and Portugal at Stadium de Toulouse. Getty
But for much of this match, the miracle was very much alive. Portugal were outstanding, defending like demons against one of the most potent attacks in world rugby. And attacking with flair, too. With 12 minutes to go they led 17-10, before Fiji kicked two penalties and crossed for a converted try to secure their passage.
But Portugal’s never-say-die attitude saw Rodrigo Marta score a brilliant try in the 77th minute, converted by Samuel Marques. Portugal hung-on in the last minutes and recorded a famous victory.
Fiji did what they had to do and now face a confident England in Marseille next Sunday in what is a clash of David and Goliath proportions.
But the Fijians have a lot of work to do. They were a shadow of the team that beat England in a lead-up game and Australia a couple of weeks ago, and must revert to their full-blown attacking mindset to have any chance of progressing to a semi-final.
Lalakai Foketi runs the ball during a Wallabies training session on Saturday. The team now heads home. Getty
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