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.
Full time: Australia 34-14 Portugal
Australia kept their faint Rugby World Cup quarter-final hopes alive after beating Portugal 34-14.
Portugal struck first but the Wallabies took advantage of Pedro Bettencourt’s sin-bin with three tries to put them ahead before Fraser McReight secured the much-needed bonus point.
Australia’s last eight hopes now depend on how Fiji fare against Portugal next weekend.
Ben Donaldson’s penalty put the first points on the board for Australia four minutes in, but Portugal scored the first try of the game as Bettencourt crossed in the corner with Samuel Marques converting.
Australia keep slim Rugby World Cup hopes alive with bonus-point win over Portugal
Australia’s hopes rest entirely on what happens when Fiji face Portugal next weekend
Full time: Australia 34-14 Portugal
We’re into the 84th minute and Australia have the ball back but are still not kicking this into touch.
And that’s the game, it looked like a head collision, but the Wallabies have five points.
They will have to wait until next weekend to find out their fate in the competition.
Australia 34-14 Portugal LIVE: 80 + 3 minutes
Well, the ball thumped into the referee as Australia tried to clear their lines, but the 80 minutes is up.
There will be a scrum so we will continue for at least another minute while it’s all set up.
Bizarrely Australia have run this down field, Australia making this World Cup last as long as possible.
It’s been turned over...
Australia 34-14 Portugal LIVE: 80 minutes
Some of the quality in the line kicking today has been exceptional, and that last one was no different from Portugal, who have one last chance in this match.
Australia 34-14 Portugal LIVE: 79 minutes
Another mention that Australia have never failed to reach the knockout stages of a Rugby World Cup previously.
Australia 34-14 Portugal LIVE: 78 minutes
Australia just looking to close out the final few minutes here and hold on to that small chance of qualification.
Australia 34-14 Portugal LIVE: 75 minutes
Donaldson misses the conversion! It hasn’t been the best kicking game from him today, but fortunately for the Wallabies it does not matter.
Try! Australia 34-14 Portugal LIVE: 75 minutes
Australia have come back with a vengence here and looking to drive forward.
And they have the try! Koroibete put the ball over the line.
Australia 29-14 Portugal LIVE: 73 minutes
Into the final part of this game, and it will be interesting to see how Australia come back, after the momentum had all been with Portugal while they were two players down.
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