Beaten Portugal can still save Wallabies World Cup

afr.com:

Australia’s Rugby World Cup hopes are still narrowly alive after a bonus point victory, against a relentless Portugal in Saint-Étienne.

At one stage in the second half, the Wallabies were down to 13 players after consecutive yellow cards, defending valiantly against a tiring Portugal. Marika Koroibete was enormous in defence, punishing any Portuguese unfortunate enough to pop up on his radar.

In attack, the new centre combination of Lalakai Foketi and Izaia Perese were strong and direct, consistently getting the Wallabies across the advantage line. Anthony Kellaway was superb at fullback, at one stage pulling off a spectacular try saving tackle.

The Wallabies scrum again started strongly but faded as the game progressed – however they were smart enough to survive a Portuguese onslaught when down a man late in the game.

The lineout was disrupted when the outstanding Nick Frost succumbed to a knee injury incurred early in the match.

Eddie Jones and the Wallabies will now have to prepare this week with enormous focus and discipline, knowing they are basically dead but mathematically still alive.

Pedro Bettencourt of Portugal scored the first try of the match. Australia will be hoping he can bring more of the same against Fiji next week. Getty

Australia’s mathematical miracle relies on a near-total Fijian capitulation against Portugal in what will be the final match of the group stage in Toulouse at 6am AEST next Monday. The Rugby World Cup rules to resolve pool stage tiebreaks are, in order:

For the Wallabies, it’s only really the first two that count. Portugal needs to beat Fiji, and stop them getting any bonus points, through either scoring four tries or losing by seven or less. One bonus point would bring Fiji level with