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Wales vs Portugal LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction as Morgan and Lake score tries

Wales 28-8 Portugal: Warren Gatland’s side secured a bonus point win in a tight contest against Portugal

Michael Jones
Saturday 16 September 2023 21:00 BST
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(Getty Images)

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Wales continued their winning streak at the Rugby World Cup with by triumphing over Portugal in a testing encounter at the Stade de Nice.

Louis Rees Zammit gave Warren Gatland’s much changed side the early lead going over inside the first 10 minutes before Portugal responded with a penalty kick to get some points on the board.

The first half proved to be a tight affair as Portugal showed off flair and stamina in defence but Dewi Lake’s try just before the break released the shackles on the Welsh. Jac Morgan scored to secure the points before Portugal went over with a wonderfully worked try from a lineout.

As time died away Wales targeted a bonus point try that came from Taulupe Faletau in the final action of the match.

Relive all the action from the Stade de Nice below.

TRY! Ireland 31-13 Tonga, (Vaea Fifita, 48 minutes)

A scrum reset is the break that Tonga need as the ball comes out to Vaea Fifita. He blitzes in between Johnny Sexton and Caelan Doris and grounds the ball over the line.

Tonga have their first try.

Mike Jones16 September 2023 21:00

Ireland 31-6 Tonga, 44 minutes

There’s plenty of added time here as Tonga are determined to get over for a try. Ireland are a man down but four penalties in a row keep Tonga’s hopes alive as the ball remains in play.

Ireland’s defence is holding firm for now.

Mike Jones16 September 2023 20:58

TRY! Ireland 31-6 Tonga, (Johnny Sexton, 38 minutes)

Johnny Sexton breaks Ronan O’Gara’s record as Ireland’s highest points scorer! He breaks the Tonga line and sprints under the sticks to score their fourth try of the first half.

He then converts to add to his tally and Ireland have already secured their bonus point.

Mike Jones16 September 2023 20:52

Ireland 24-6 Tonga, 36 minutes

Space opens up in front of a maul for Ronan Kelleher who drives towards the line. It looks as though he’s grounded the ball but the referee is well positioned and sees that Tonga managed to hold him up at the last moment.

Mike Jones16 September 2023 20:49

TRY! Ireland 24-6 Tonga, (Mack Hansen, 33 minutes)

Wonderful run from Mack Hansen. Ireland keep the ball close in the middle of their line and draw in the Tonga defenders. A flurry of passes send the ball out to Hansen on the wing but he still has plenty of work to do.

He cuts inside of three defenders taking them out of the equation before shimming past a fourth and diving for the line to give Ireland a third try of the night.

Sexton converts.

Mike Jones16 September 2023 20:44

TRY! Ireland 17-6 Tonga, (Caelan Doris, 27 minutes)

Ireland win themselves a lineout deep in Tonga’s half and decide that a driving maul is the best method of attack. They’re right as the ball is passed back to Caelan Doris who sticks to the back of the drive before lunging for the line.

Johnny Sexton pumps over the conversion. Ireland are starting to tick now.

Mike Jones16 September 2023 20:41

PENALTY! Ireland 10-6 Tonga, (William Havili, 24 minutes)

That is very impressive.

Tonga respond immediately by winning a penalty out wide on the right wing. They decide to kick for goal again but William Havili is miles away with a tight angle to hit.

That doesn’t faze the fly-half who whips the ball through the middle of the posts to keep Tonga within touching distance of Ireland.

Mike Jones16 September 2023 20:35

TRY! Ireland 10-3 Tonga (Tadhg Beirne, 21 minutes)

From the ruck the ball comes out to Johnny Sexton who pings the ball back inside for Caelan Doris to burst through the Tonga line. He offloads the ball to Tadhg Beirne who blazes up the pitch and dives into the try zone.

Sexton boots over for the conversion and Ireland are ahead once more.

Mike Jones16 September 2023 20:31

Ireland 3-3 Tonga, 18 minutes

No try! Ireland thought they were in. A kick is up the pitch is spilled by the Tonga full-back before Mack Hansen scoops up the ball. He doesn’t collect it cleanly though and knocks on himself before continuing the move.

The Irish work it over to the right and score but their joy is shortlived as Hansen’s knock on is flagged immediately. Scrum to Ireland for Tonga’s initial knock on.

Mike Jones16 September 2023 20:26

PENALTY! Ireland 3-3 Tonga, (William Havili, 16 minutes)

Tonga are going to kick for goal from a long, long way out to try and draw this match level. Fly-half, William Havili, is the chosen kicker and he bombs it right between the sticks.

Wonderful kick. There’s a game on now in Nantes.

Mike Jones16 September 2023 20:23

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