Crunch games as Wallabies’ World Cup hopes hang by a thread
Eddie Jones and the Wallabies have spent this week preparing for the remote possibility of making the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals after a disastrous campaign. Their chances hinge not on their own performance, but a mathematical miracle in Portugal’s upcoming game against Fiji.
If Portugal pull off an improbable eight-point win over Fiji in Toulouse in the final group stage game, then Australia will advance. But if Fiji win, they will send the Wallabies home.
Samu Kerevi makes a break during the Wallabies win against Portugal in Saint-Etienne on October 1. Getty
A Portugal win by less than seven will also knock out Australia, because Fiji will earn a bonus point and finish equal with Australia on 11 points. But Fiji will own the tie-breaker because they beat Australia earlier in the World Cup.
Despite the long shot, the Australian squad has trained with purpose at their base in Saint-Etienne. But their destiny hangs in the balance, relying on the near-total capitulation of the Fijian side.
While the Wallabies did beat both Georgia and Portugal, they lost to both Fiji and Wales in their group matches, threatening their perfect record of reaching the sudden-death rounds in each of the nine previous World Cups played.
The Wallabies squad has suffered more hits, with Nick Frost and Carter Gordon ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with knee injuries.
Portugal is a talented and passionate team, whose key strength is an agile backline that can move the ball very effectively to their elusive outside backs. Their set-piece is strong with athletic lineout jumpers and a strong scrum that troubled Australia throughout the pool clash last Sunday.
Fiji were surprisingly disjointed in their 5-point victory against Georgia
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