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.
Australia 29-7 Portugal LIVE: 58 minutes
Primary contact on the chest so no yellow or red card, but it must have been a worrying moment for Foketi and from the replays it could be considered more shoulder than chest. A close call.
Australia 29-7 Portugal LIVE: 58 minutes
Australia have been giving away a few silly penalties here, the latest one for a sloppy late tackle without arms.
And I think this one might be about to be reviewed as well.
Australia 29-7 Portugal LIVE: 56 minutes
Another Portuguese attack comes to an end.
The boos rang out against the touchline official, with the crowd believing Koroibete carried the ball over the line, but it was the right call.
Just a few frustrations from the majority of the crowd who are decked out in red.
Australia 29-7 Portugal LIVE: 55 minutes
Portugal go short with their line out and break forward, but Australia win the ball back.
Those in red are just starting to run out of chances to impose themselves in this half.
Australia 29-7 Portugal LIVE: 53 minutes
After all of that pressure, they cannot get the ball over the line however and Australia hold their lines and clear.
Australia 29-7 Portugal LIVE: 52 minutes
Portugal are closing in on their second try, Australia have strayed offside, the advantage is with those in red.
They are in the shadow of the posts, but cannot capitalise with a long ball wide. They will have the scrum under the posts however after the earlier advantage.
Conversion missed! Australia 29-7 Portugal LIVE: 49 minutes
Donaldson hits one but it rebounds off the posts, it was a tough angle from right at the side of the pitch, but it is still a very healthy lead for Australia.
Try! Australia 29-7 Portugal LIVE: 48 minutes
The game has been a bit more fractured this second half and there will be a change already from Australia, Slipper the first player to make way for a tactical substitution.
Australia have a try, McReight the player to put the ball over the line after a brilliant tackle, dummy and offload.
That is the bonus point to Australia and they need to win by four tries to keep their hopes alive.
Australia 24-7 Portugal LIVE: 46 minutes
Portugal caught offside there and they have conceded an additional 10 metres to Australia, who kick into touch.
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