Rob Kitson’s report is in. I’ll sign off and thank you all for joining me. It was a cracking game. Portugal delivered but how will this stodgy show from Australia be met by their fans?
Catch you soon.
Eddie Jones is up next:
We’re still alive. That was the aim of the day. For a young team down to 13 men we showed plenty of courage and fought hard. We’ve done that all season, sometimes the results haven’t been in our favour...well, most of the time.
It’s a real credit to them. You look at the experience of our players out there, we’re averaging less than 20 caps.
I’ve never experienced this before so I really don’t know. We’re anticipating we’ll be in the quarter-finals so we have plans to have three days off and then three days training. We’ll see on Sunday night. Portugall played with plenty of spirit tonight so you never know.
Here’s Australia’s captain, David Porecki:
I’m proud of my boys. It’s been a tough week but to turn it around and get a win like that, it’s good for the group. I must commend Portugal. It was a great game.
A big point to come out of our review, we lacked in the forwards. it was a step in the right direction. We’ll keep working hard. I must also commend our fans. It’s tough for them as well. They stepped up.
Now for the devilishly handsome captain of Portugal, Tomas Appleton:
I think we’re really proud for what we gave in the field. But it’s a defeat, we lost. I’m proud but not happy. We have one more chance next week to show what we can do.
We took a lot of line-breaks from first phase. And after that if we’re always playing on the back foot we suffer from that. We’re disappointed with the result.
The crowd is simply amazing. This is what I’m most proud. The Portuguese fans are simply amazing.
Here’s the player of the match, Rob Valetini:
It was good. I thought the boys dug deep knowing it could be our last game. Credit to Portugal. They’re a very solid team. I know they’re going to be a power in a couple of years.
We pride ourselves on our forwards getting over their forwards. A lot of things we did in training transferred to the field. We knew the game would be won with the forward because Portugal have some slick backs.
Full-time: Australia 34-14 Portugal
No wild celebrations from the Australians despite coming out on top. It was a great match. Portugal had two disallowed tries and could have had more with some sharper thinking in the red zone. Australia scored three tries while Portugal were down to 14 men in the first half. That proved the difference in a ding-dong thing. Australia have to wait another week before booking their flights home.
Updated
80+4 mins: Rather than kick the ball out Australia run it from the back of the scrum. They actually make some decent metres with Nawaqanitawase. But the ball is stolen so Portugal counter. We’re well past the end of the match but Portugal are carrying on. Pinto makes a gap and tries to off-load but Australia win it back. Donaldson kicks ahead and there’s a knock-on. So that, at long last, is that.
80+2 mins: The line-out works again. It gets loose until Martins straightens and takes it back into traffic. The ball is spilled so Australia kick ahead. But not out so Pinto can launch a counter from deep. He’s made great yardage there. The ball has hit the referee so they’ll pack for a scrum. It’s not over because it’s not a knock-on. Australia will look to get it out as quickly as possible.
Updated
79 mins: Australia get clean ball out the back of the scrum. Valetini, just named player of the match, makes another mighty carry. But Australia can’t clear at the ruck and Portugal get over it to win a penalty. They hoof a kick up field and will set a line-out. Can they nick one more try at the death?
78 mins: Guedes runs from deep but is met by heavy traffic. Portugal go down the line and it finds Martins but he knocks on. He then slams the ball into the turf in frustration.
77 mins: Portugal win the ball back after their own restart but knock on down the line. Australia kick ahead which forces Portugal to clean up at the back in their own 22. It’s messy. Some tired bodies out there are running on empty. Bettencourt runs laterall and is swamped near the tram. A firm counter ruck from Australia means its slow out the back of the ruck. Eentually Belo boxes.
TRY! Australia 34-14 Portugal (Koroibete, 75)
And that’s the game. It began with a mighty carry against the grain from Kerevi who burst through to gain about 30 metres. Bell made a dart out wide. The ball came back infield before going left down the line where Koroibete was on hand to close out the play. Donaldson from out wide can’t add the extra points.
Updated
74 mins: Another solid scrum from Portugal has them moving forward until Bettencourt throws a rushed pass that sails straight out of touch.
73 mins: Nawaqanitawase catches a high ball and then steps off his left, then his right, then his left again. Kerevi back on the field carries well but Australia knock-on around halfway. They’ve been so poor this half. This is not a team that deserves to reach the last eight of a World Cup.
TRY! Australia 29-14 Portugal (Simoes, 71)
Portugal have their second! Their scrum is dominant and Simoes at the back can pick up on the front foot and crash over from close range over McDermott. Marques converts as well. He took that kick very quickly. Portugal can sniff an almighty upset.
Updated
68 mins: Honestly I have no idea how Portugal haven’t scored another try. A combination of poor decision making when it counts and frenetic scrambling defence from Australia. But Nawaqanitawase was off his feet and gave away the penalty so Portugal have an option here. Looks like they’ve chosen to pack down for a scrum. Remember, they have two more men than the Aussies. But only for another two minutes.
67 mins: Portugal win the scrum penalty and take it quick to attack down the left. But once again it’s a little directionless and they can’t find the gap. Australia scramble and force the turnover and hack clear. The kick doesn’t find touch so Guedes can counter. The ball goes right and Bettencourt rumbles past a tackler. Fernandes the prop off-loads and now it’s five on three. How have they not scored there? Still they have it five out though with an advantage…
65 mins: Correction. It was a Portoguese knock-on. Porecki with a huge tackle on the flying Marta who looked certain to step the Aussie captain. So it’s a scrum for Australia in their 22.
65 mins: Valetini picks up from the back of the scrum and goes down the blindside. McDermott hoofs a high box. Portela gathers and launches a quick attack from the line-out. It’s looking great down the right but Australia steal another important turnover. Fantastic work from the Aussies on defence.
63 mins: Australia win the ball back! Portugal get the maul rolling but they can’t free the ball as Marques is sucked into the mass of humanity. Valetini is over it and Australians come up roaring! Why, though, did Portugal not go wide with the two man advantage? Especially when the maul has spluttered. Another missed opportunity.
Yellow card! Australia (Kerevi, 62)
No complaints there. There was clear separation between his arm and his body so Portugal get another penalty inside Australia’s 22. They go to the corner. They simple must make this count as they’re 15 against 13.
62 mins: Australia exit well thanks to a great carry inside his own 22 from Kerevi. McDermott clears with a kick and Portugal counter. There’s a huge hit from Fines-Leleiwasa but they’re coming back for a possible penalty. Oh yes. Kerevi clearly led with his forearm and made contact with Appleton’s head as he carried into contact. Yellow card coming up.
61 mins: Portugal knock on. The line-out was good, the maul was set and Tadjer spills again. What a let off for Australia. Portugal deserved so much more from that period of dominance. But that’s the difference between the teams at the top and the rest.
Try dissalowed!
The crowd don’t like it. And there’s no penalty try. Tadjer knocked on but the infringement wasn’t the cause of the spill. They have a penalty and go to the corner again.
Hang on. Looks like the try is going to get scrapped. Tadjer seems to have lost the ball forward before he dotted down. But it might end with a penalty try as the maul was deliberately brought down. Faessler has already been carded remember.
Yellow card! Australia (Faessler, 60)
And because the maul was brought down illegally, Australia’s replacement hooker is sin-binned. What a moment for Portugal.
TRY! Australia 29-12 Portugal (Tadjer, 60)
He’s over! The maul gets going and, after being momentarily held up, it rumbles over.
Updated
59 mins: Australia go swimming in the maul and also drag it down. They now get a final warning and Portugal kick their latest penalty into touch.
58 mins: Australia’s scrum is dominated and the ball squirts out on Portugal’s side. Marques plays a netball style pass to keep the play moving. It goes down the line but is lateral. No one straightens the attack so it gets nowhere. There’s a late hit on Marques so Portugal get the penalty. Or was it a no-arm hit? Either way, Portugal nudge the ball into the corner. Oh wow, replays don’t look. No idea why Foketi hasn’t been carded for that. It was high and looked dangerous. Anyway, Portugal with the line-out within striking distance.
56 mins: A break in play gives both teams a chance to make some changes. Kerevi, who wasn’t supposed to play until Gordan’s injury, enters the scene for Perese.
56 mins: McReight with another steal. Back in the starting XV, he’s having a great game. Kellaway and Guedes then get involved in some kick tennis. It all ends with an Aussie line-out 10 metres in Portugal’s half. But Portugal steal the line-out and can hoof it down field. More kick tennis now. Three kicks from either side. Kellaway and then Koroibete keep the ball in play. Portugal have it around halfway with Appleton but he spills in contact.
54 mins: Ah. Portugal lose their line-out. It’s marginally too high for the jumper and McReight can come through and win it. Donaldson clears with another gigantic kick towards the halfway line.
53 mins: Portugal again are clean at the line-out and they work a nice move off the top. They charge towards the line with a big carry but can’t quite burst through. They come back against the grain with Appleton running from a standing start. Australia’s defence holds but they do concede a penalty. Wit the advantage Portugal look to find Storti alone on the left but he’s bundled into touch. Still, they have the penalty so go to the corner again.
51 mins: Portugal get a soft penalty around the half-way line as Fa’amaulisi pushes a Portuguese defender off the ball. Now Portugal can hoof a kick into the corner. Line-out time.
TRY! Australia 29-7 Portugal (McReight, 48)
Australia get the bonus point. It started with a scrum that gained go-forward ball. Down the line and Valetini crashed over the gainline. An overlap formed on the right. Nawaqanitawase got it and then popped a pass from the ground for McReight who had a clear path to the right corner. Donaldson thwacks the post as he can’t bring his conversion round enough.
Updated
46 mins: Donaldson does brilliantly to field a high kick on the leap. Koroibete tips on a pass for Arnold in support. Australia get through the phases around the fringe. Madeira is off side and then Marques slows the play down after the whistle so the penalty is advanced 10 metres up field. Donaldson kicks to touch as Slipper is subbed for Fa’amausili.
44 mins: What a run from Stroti. He beat four tacklers as hi cut back infield from his right wing. It was scrappy off the scrum but Portugal managed to get it down the line and through the hands to Storti. But the attack soon becomes lateral and stodgy and Australia are able to force the ball carrier out of touch.
42 mins: Portugal steal a line-out and almost find a 50-22. Koroibete does well to keep it in play. He kicks and then delivers a monster tackle on Guedes as he chases. Wow, that was a mighty collision. Nawaqanitawase has a little room to show off his twinkle toes but Australia spill it near touch on the right.
The teams are back out. All set for the second half. A changer apiece. Frost and De Freitas are off. Leota and Simoes are on.
Updated
“Thanks for live blog,” says Sue Broderick
“In Cinque Terre Italy and RAI not televising Aus vs Portugal match. No bars showing it. Can’t access streaming as overseas.
”At half time it’s looking good for us. Was at the Wales match in Lyon. Pretty demoralising and not a good match as Wales didn’t really play that well.
”Keep up good work and thanks to The Guardian.”
Thank you, Sue. Glad you’re enjoying it and happy to be your eyes and ears on this one. I’d argue that Wales played very, very well, but no doubt their job was made easier by an inept Aussie outfit.
It’s hard to disagree with this. And, if I’m honest, Bettencourt should have seen red. I’m glad he didn’t as it makes a game of this. But if Curry was sent off then I’m not sure how the Portuguese centre is still on the pitch.
@danielgallan Curry’s red card becomes more and more incomprehensible as each game goes by and worse challenges are kept at a yellow. I thought Curry’s card should have been a red btw
— AndyinBrum gratefull im not PayPalPatine (@AndyinBrum) October 1, 2023
Half-time: Australia 24-7 Portugal
Donaldson goes to the corner and rather than maul they go off the top of the line-out. Koroibete knocks on in contact as he comes off his wing. That’ll be the final act of a half dominated by a 10-minute, three-try blitz from the Aussies. But Portugal landed some blows of their own. I enjoyed that. Back in a bit.
39 mins: Australia win their line-out in their own 22 and McDermott finds touch with a box. Portugal make a mess of their line-out so Australia have it back. Valetini and the Kellaway charge with strong carries. Valetini again. Donaldson for Bell who bursts through a few tacklers. Frost carries into contact. Donaldson is cut in half by a good shot. Australia win a penalty at the breakdown after a tackler doesn’t roll away.
37 mins: Portela’s work deserved a try. He stepped an Aussie, cut back in field and then fed Martins rushing through on the support line down the left tram. He only had Kellaway to beat. Rather than run over him he chose to dash for the corner and the Aussie fullback did superbly well to nudge the larger man into touch.
No try! Martins is tackled out just before he grounds the ball.
Portugal cross the line! But is the out of touch? Oh wow this will be one of the best tries of the tournament.
36 mins: Australia pinch the line-out and McDermott sets a high kick. It’s too deep for the Australian chasers so Portugal can attack themselves. A clever dink ahead almost has Appleton in business but Australia clean up. McDermott hoists another high kick and Portugal counter again.
35 mins: Portugal’s line-out is clean and they set a maul. It rumbles and rumbles and rumbles. Fantastic from the Portuguese pack. Marques then spins it to the blindside. A cut-back for Storti has him running through a gap. Up they go through the hands. Guedes spots a gap and kicks to it but Kellaway fields and marks. His return kick lands around the halfway line.
33 mins: Australia give away a penalty at the line-out. Obstruction as they lifted a jumper. It’s a penalty you don’t often see called but it’s the right decision. Portugal let off the hook there.
32 mins: Perese runs 50 metres from first phase ball off the scrum. A hole in midfield opened up and he burst through. Support arrives and they’re a metre short. The forwards pick and go but can’t get over. They have a penalty advantage so keep hammering the line. They spill it so Donaldson nudges the ball out for a five metre line-out. What a run from Perese. Give him more of the ball!
30 min: Australia knock-on after the restart so Portugal have a scrum inside the red zone. They work the phases but are pushed back 10 metres. Through the hands down the right and Wallis has a dart. Australia’s defence is standing firm and force a knock-on. Nine phases for a net loss of 20 metres for Portugal. Australia’s line-speed there was impressive.
TRY! Australia 24-7 Portugal (Bell, 27)
Bell crashes over. Brilliant counter attack from Australia that was sparked by an off-load from Nawaqanitawase for Foketi. The end result was inevitable but it was eventually realised with Bell hammering the line against the grain with a meaty run from short distance. Donaldson again is accurate from the tee. Three Australian tries while Bettencourt sat in the sin-bin.
Updated
25 mins: Donaldson’s huge kick after the restart finds touch but Portugal take the throw quickly. Guedes steps a couple of tacklers before a chip kick hands the ball back to Australia. Foketi makes a great run down the right and the Wallabies pour forward. Through the hands and Koroibete has a one on one with Storti. Perese charges but can’t get over. Surely they’ll score now…
TRY! Australia 17-7 Portugal (Porecki, 23)
The skipper gets over. Simple as. The line-out goes to the middle where Arnold catches it clean. The maul is set up, it rumbles on, wins a penalty advantage and creates the space for captain Porecki who simply has to fall over the line to register his first try for his country.
Donaldson curls in a lovely looking conversion. Two more to the score.
Updated
21 mins: Australia get over the ball and steal it. Bell I think. He’s getting the back slaps and high fives. Portugal were building through the phases. That’s a top steal. Donaldson then nails an excellent touch finder. Australia will have the throw-in five metres out.
Bettencourt’s yellow remains a yellow. That’s a relief. The game needed that.
TRY! Australia 10-7 Portugal (Arnold, 19)
Australia hit back. Off the line-out, they go round the corner. The forwards pile in. Valetini gets over the gainline and pops up an off-load for Arnold on the front foot. He’s not going to get stopped from there and crashes over for his Test try. This time Donaldson makes no mistake and adds the extras.
Updated
18 mins: Autsralia reload after the restart. Valetini carries and is chopped down. McReight calso has a strong carry. Donaldosn hoists a nothing kick that gives away possession. But Australia will have the line-out around the 22 after Portugal kick out on the full.
Penalty missed: Donaldson
He hooks it left. He needed to start that further to the left. Instead it shaped across the face of the poles.
Yellow card! Portugal (Bettencourt, 15)
And it could be upgraded to red. He went high and his shoulder clattered the jaw of Perese. It didn’t look good. I really hope it' doesn’t get upgraded. Only because I want Portugal to keep this up. Donaldson will take aim at the poles from 45 metres straight in front.
They’re checking a possible shoulder on head collision. It’s Bettencourt on Perese. Will be a yellow I think.
14 mins: Great clearance from Portugal. You’d struggle to know which team has won the World Cup twice and which one is ranked 16th in the world.
TRY! Australia 3-7 Portugal (Bettencourt, 12)
They’ve done it! That is a famous try for Portuguese rugby. It’s from the scrum that won the penalty advantage. Marques found Appleton with an off-load. Storti on the angle. But it’s a brilliant pass from Portela who whizzes a howitzer to Bettencourt on the right wing and he slides over in the corner. Marques slots a difficult kick in the tram. Wonderful stuff!
Updated
12 mins: Portugal wheel the scrum and get a penalty. They’re charging down the left. Appleton and then Marques. They have to score…
11 mins: A clever kick in behind has Koroibete rushing back to field the bouncing ball. He takes it back over his goal-line and then slips under pressure from an aggressive chase. What a result for Portugal. They’ll have the scrum feed five metres out. Excellent hands and interplay from Portugal. Nick Frost doesn’t look in a good way. He’s stayed down with attention on his ankle I think.
10 mins: Slick again from the line-out. Another swift move, involving a quick no-look-back-of-the-hand pass sees Storti find a bit of room on the right. He cuts back infield and now they’re up to eight phases on the edge of the 22. Marques off-loads to Tadjer and he’s through a gap. 11 phases and Australia are scrambling on defence.
8 mins: Australia’s line-out ball in their own 22 is clean. McDermott chooses to find touch with his box kick rather than hoist it high. Portugal are happy with that as their line-out has been a real strength. Storti has swapped wings and has the ball again. Appleton charges. Portugal then win a penalty after a tackler isn’t released. It’s been an impressive start from Portugal.
6 mins: Australia produce a neat exit with Donaldson hoofing a good touch finder around the halfway line. Portugal get the line-out working and then stitch a wonderful backline move to the left. Storti has it on the wing and he’s nudged out. Good from Portugal. Portela with some lovely interplay.
Penalty! Australia 3-0 Portugal (Donaldson, 4)
Australia are on the board thanks to a simple nudge off the tee from Donaldson just to the right of the poles.
3 mins: Scrum penalty for Australia. Ferreira nailed for collapsing. Donaldson calls for the tee and the crowd react with a boo.
2 mins: Australia knock-on. They made 70 metres from the restart but once they enter the 22, or just about, they spill it. Strong carries from McReight in the build up. It was McDermott who had his hand tapped just as he was about to release. Portugal with the scrum.
2 min: Frost fields the kick-off and Australia get a maul rumbling 10 metres up field. Donaldson can’t link with his backline but Kellaway mops up and runs. They’re now up to the 22. Good swift start.
The Aussies look flat. Not sure if I’m seeing things that aren’t there but they do not look thrilled or hyped. Let’s hope for their sake that they find a spark. Portugal, in red shirts and white shorts, to kick off the Wallabies in their gold and green.
The anthems are underway. The Portuguese have absolutely sent it. If the game was determined by passion before kick-off then the Aussies would get spanked. Not long to go now.
If a World Cup takes place halfway around the world and no one notices, has it really happened?
First year philosophy students (and maybe my editor) will roll their eyes at the above, but it does lead nicely to this email from John Davis:
“Afternoon Daniel. I was chatting with a British friend now resident in Queensland last night and he said he hadn’t watched a single match of this World Cup - partly because of the time difference but mostly because it was on a pay channel he doesn’t have. How do Rugby Australia/World Rugby expect to retain interest if the main global tournament isn’t accessible? At least every match is available for free here in the UK - at least until the next tournament, if rumours are to be believed.
“Anyway, really looking forward to this game - loved watching Portugal against Georgia. Joint best match of this world Cup for me.”
If we say it enough times, maybe, just maybe, it’ll come true.
Before the RWC started anyone would've thought Portugal's team talk before Australia would be about enjoying the occasion and scoring some tries. The goalposts have shifted and now, rightly or wrongly, they'll be talking about making history. This is an insane occasion.
— Will Owen (@will_owen9) October 1, 2023
James Slipper will set a new Wallabies record this afternoon.
The veteran prop will run out for his 21st World Cup match, passing George Gregan’s 16-year-old record for tournament appearances.
It will be Slipper’s 134th Test cap in total, moving him to within five of Gregan’s overall Wallabies record.
One more Test and the front-rower will become the most-capped prop of all time. This game will move him level with Wales and British & Irish Lions legend Gethin Jenkins.
Australia are still ranked in the top 10 according World Rugby’s metrics.
But only just. Lose today, an unlikely but not wholly inconceivable event, and they’ll slip out for the first time ever.
Portugal with one final swing
They’ve got nothing to lose and everything to win against the Wallabies. No one is expecting them to beat Eddie Jones’ shell-shocked rabble, but they can certainly land a few blows that will live long in the memory. If they can show a bit more patience with ball in hand and earn the right to send it wide to their hot-stepping backs, then they will bow out of the tournament with a lot of pride.
There are four changes to the side that drew with Georgia. David Costa at loose-head will make his World Cup debut and David Wallis, who was impressive off the bench last time out, stars in the back row.
Portugal: Nuno Sousa Guedes; Raffaele Storti, Pedro Bettencourt, Tomás Appleton (captain), Rodrigo Marta; Jerónimo Portela, Samuel Marques; David Costa, Mike Tadjer, Diogo Hasse Ferreira; José Madeira, Martim Belo; David Wallis, Nicolas Martins, Thibault de Freitas
Replacements: Francisco Fernandes, Duarte Diniz, Francisco Bruno, Steevy Cerqueira, Rafael Simões, João Belo, Joris Moura, Manuel Cardoso Pinto
💥 Austrália x Portugal
— Portugal Rugby (@PortugalRugby) October 1, 2023
🏆 Rugby World Cup 2023
🕛 16h45 (PT)
🏟 Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
🖥 Sport TV & RTP 2 #SN #espiritolobo #SomosLobos #Lobos #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/JTs9imSlI2
Late change for Australia
You didn’t expect this to be simple, did you? Carter Gordan has been ruled out of the match which means Samu Kerevi, who was dropped from the match-day 23, moves to the bench. Ben Donaldson, who plays a lot of his rugby at 15 for his club, is now the only player with any experience at fly-half in the team.
Australia: Andrew Kellaway; Mark Nawaqanitawase, Izaia Perese, Lalakai Foketi, Marika Koroibete; Ben Donaldson, Tate McDermott; Angus Bell, David Porecki (captain), James Slipper; Nick Frost, Richard Arnold; Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini
Replacements: Matt Faessler, Blake Schoupp, Pone Fa’amausili, Robert Leota, Josh Kemeny, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Samu Kerevi, Suli Vunivalu.
Game day squad confirmed 🦘
— Wallabies (@wallabies) October 1, 2023
🏟️ Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne
📅 Monday, Oct 2, 2:45am AEDT
📺 @StanSportau @Channel9#Wallabies #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/6SYKPQ3N0a
Preamble
It’s been a grim week for Australian rugby. Perhaps it’s never been worse. After the Wallabies’ historic loss to Fiji, and then a humiliating trouncing by Wales, they face an early exit from the World Cup as the sorry state of the code has been brutally exposed.
Today’s game against Portugal is a hiding to nothing. Not even a convincing win against one of the weakest teams in the competition will blow away the stink. If they lose we’ll all discover that rock bottom is actually a lot further down than was first thought.
Portugal will know that they have a chance at creating history. Their comeback draw against Georgia showed they have plenty of spirit and a bit of skill to match it. And as Georgia were a dominant force for much of their game against Fiji last night, and as Fiji beat Australia, we might do a bit of mental gymnastics and envision a remarkable upset.
My name is Dan and I’m looking forward to what is surely the final match of Australia’s 2023 World Cup campaign. Eddie Jones needs a statement win. But can his players deliver?
Let’s find out together.
Kick-off at 5:45pm local time in Saint-Etienne/4:45pm BST.
Teams and further updates to come.
