After losing to Fiji (15-22) and then to Wales (6-40), the Wallabies, worst in Group C since their last match, were almost eliminated from the group stage with only one point to collect against the Fijians. On October 8 the Portuguese, who undoubtedly condemned a too-early return home, won their second match of this World Cup against Portugal, waiting until the 47th minute to claim an attacking bonus.
After giving the match a great start, the masters of field and ball scored a brilliant try at the end of the line through their center Pedro Bettencourt (12th, 3-7). Line captain Tomas Appleton, the Portuguese was the most expensive – twenty-one points – for a dangerous tackle on the same Bettencourt (15th) yellow card.
The Australians, who led 24-7 after Bell’s third try following tries from Richie Arnold (19th) and captain Dave Borecki (22nd), got an attacking bonus from the well in the 47th minute. A well-finished “one against two” framed by Frazer McGreid’s side. Geoffroy-Guichard’s cauldron, bought from the Lusitanians, had long since left suspense.
Suspense, perhaps, but not panache. Re-starts, counter-attacks, hooks, behind-the-line combinations, the Lusitanians ignited the public and at the end of a long period of dominance (50-66th) followed by two Australian yellow cards in double-digit superiority (60th , 62nd), Rafael Simos (70th) Scored their second try. The Portuguese, with their heads held high, lost the encounter of course, but they won hearts.
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