News
10:46PM
Extra Portugal celebrations
10:42PM
Commiserations for Fiji
10:30PM
Fundamental scenes for Portugal
10:21PM
Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui
Congratulations to Portugal. They played in actuality properly and caught in there.
Obviously upset no longer to collect that win. We dropped too powerful ball and we were moderately tight given the context of the game.
We now occupy got to reassess tomorrow. Improbable tournament crew England, so we are looking out forward to a tough game.
10:16PM
Portugal head coach Patrice Lagisquet
It’s impossible, it’s implausible. They continually procure sources that I never demand. And the vogue they ranking this final strive is fabulous. They peaceful shock me after four years. It’s an impossible neighborhood and an impossible crew. There are gamers who’re in actuality talented.
It couldn’t be better, I’m so fortunate to bid a squad like this one. I’m so fortunate to lift out with this victory. It’s a wide 2nd.
I like [the supporters]. They’re impossible. They enhance their crew for 80 minutes they command and shout. I like them.
10:13PM
Rampant celebrations for Portugal
10:03PM
Portugal flanker Nicolas Martins
It fells impossible. We labored loads for that. I have not got any words to speak. It is historic. I am so delighted, I feel it’s miles the most efficient 2nd of my existence.
We are a crew of guests from France, Portugal, but we dwell together. It’s one thing impossible.
The total public were for us. Fiji play properly, but all right here’s, woah, I don’t occupy the words.
9:57PM
What does shedding mean for Fiji?
As Fiji misplaced by fewer than seven aspects, they accumulate a shedding bonus point to draw stage with Australia within the pool on 11 aspects.
As Fiji obtained their head to head match against Australia, they’re going to lunge by device of 2nd within the pool at the wait on of Wales.
9:53PM
PORTUGAL WIN!
Portugal are winners at the World Cup for the very first time! A World Cup upset for the ages.
It is far a squad made up completely of tournament debutants and captained by a dentist.
What a 2nd, what a game, what a crew.
9:51PM
80 min FIJ 23 POR 24
Two carries will produce it. 20 seconds left…no 10… and the ball is out!
9:50PM
78 min FIJ 23 POR 24
The kick is completely staunch! Portugal pull forward, and Toulouse is on it’s feet.
Os Lobos now occupy 40 seconds to seal off this game for an historic win.
9:49PM
TRY PORTUGAL! 78 min FIJ 23 POR 22
With three minutes left, Appleton carries laborious within the left 15-metre channel. Os Lobos then transfer the ball across-field to the comely touchline. And there’s a destroy! It’s Storti who’s electrical down the comely wing. He curves his flee inner as he approaches the beefy-wait on and offloads to his fellow winger Marta to dive over.
Portugal occupy one more gradual kick to presumably win it. It’s from the comely hand facet, one step at some point of the 15.
9:47PM
75 min FIJ 23 POR 17
Lomani has the gap, and he on the enviornment of has the accuracy. The ball arced from outdoors the comely post and accomplished outdoors the left, but it bisected the two – and that’s what matters.
Fiji stretch the outlet to past a strive.
9:45PM
75 min FIJ 20 POR 17
Portugal are penalised in midfield for the tackler no longer rolling away. He receives a smack on his backside from Lomani for his indiscretion. Fiji point to the sticks over again – this one from 40 metres out.
9:44PM
73 min FIJ 20 POR 17
Fiji field the kick-off properly and Lomani puts it into touch. There is peaceful a couple of minutes to lunge, but it feels as if the sting has simply been taken out of the game by Fiji.
9:43PM
73 min FIJ 20 POR 17
Portugal win their line-out and determined to touch. But it doesn’t lunge far, and Fiji play off the top from simply outdoors the opposition 22. Portugal strip the ball within the form out, but they’re penalised for being off-facet from the dual carriageway-out.
The penalty is from more or much less comely in entrance of the sticks, and this time Botia signals for the three aspects. Positively the comely selection at this gradual stage.
Lomani retains his frosty and puts his facet within the lead.
9:40PM
69 min FIJ 17 POR 17
After drama in totally different places within the neighborhood phases, one would possibly well were forgiven for thinking this final pool stage game would possibly well presumably be a shoo-in. No longer so. With 10 minutes to lunge, the game is poised on a knife edge.
Fiji occupy the bit in-between their teeth all of a unexpected after Doge forces a turnover.
Botia then bursts up-field they most incessantly play a assortment of off-hundreds. Eventaully Botia kicks to the left nook. The ball holds up but is carried into touch by Fiji. High-stress line-out for Portugal.
9:37PM
TRY FIJI 67 min FIJ 17 POR 17
Fiji detect to force it and stir forward to at some point of the five-metre line. They occupy one more advantage, but the defence is daring from Portugal.
Sooner or later they collect over though with a mighty nostril dive from Mesake Doge.
Lomano continues with his unconventional bending kicking vogue, but again it goes by device of.
Fiji draw stage!
9:35PM
65 min FIJ 10 POR 17
Fiji win a bonus off the scrum and play left.
Tuisova delays the pass properly, but as they detect to play wait on the opposite direction, their one-up runner gets isolated. It seems to be as if Lima has obtained the turnover, but he is penalised for going onto his arms. Fiji again lunge for the nook as adverse to taking the aspects on provide.
9:33PM
65 min FIJ 10 POR 17
After a kicking trade, a drained having a watch Fiji detect to hoist it out. Nonetheless, the ball hits the spider cam, which device Fiji will occupy a scrum. Given their sad showing at the dual carriageway-out and their relative dominance at the scrum, this will seemingly perhaps well near as welcome data.
9:31PM
62 min FIJ 10 POR 17
After Fiji kick by device of, Portugal detect to flee it wait on, striking it by device of the arms and transferring it to the left wing. But the Fijian quilt defence is completely staunch they most incessantly win it wait on.
Fiji kick to the nook with the penalty, but it’s a sad effort. They then lose their private line-out anyway, and the different is long gone.
9:29PM
60 min FIJ 10 POR 17
Hambosi fields the kick and takes on the Portuguese defence. He passes to Ravutaumada, who’s brought to ground. Nayacalevu clearly comes into the breakdown from the vulgar facet, and that’s his final action of the match.
Portugal kick up to the Fiji 22 for a lineout, which they win at the wait on.
9:27PM
60 min FIJ 10 POR 17
Portugal occupy a scrum on their private 22. Fiji occupy 20 minutes to rob wait on the lead, or their World Cup would possibly well presumably properly be over. At gift, they’re going to dilemma by device of in accordance to a bonus point.
9:25PM
59 min FIJ 10 POR 17
The defence from Portugal is lung-busting. After one more lift from Fiji’s giants, they’re repelled, and the ball slips out of Hambosi’s grip. Portugal determined to touch and Fiji play a line-out from the opposition 22.
9:24PM
58 min FIJ 10 POR 17
The ball is knocked-on again, yes, in actuality, by Fiji, but they’re playing advantage. They lunge to the wait on off the subsequent line-out and occupy one more penalty advantage for the tackler no longer rolling away. Fiji simply throw it to ground again.
For a crew renowned for the quality of their arms and off-loading, right here’s remarkably sad. Fiji rapid faucet this time.
9:22PM
56 min FIJ 10 POR 17
It feels as if Fiji are only about to burst into existence, but after 11 phases, the ball bursts out forewards, and Portugal determined. It doesn’t lunge far though, and Fiji occupy one more lineout from at some point of the opposition 22.
Francisco Fernandes goes off with a shoulder anguish and receives and loud ovation from the gang.
9:20PM
54 min FIJ 10 POR 17
Now it’s Fiji’s flip to attach their shoulders to the wheel. They force affluent the lineout to accumulate a penalty, but as they kick it up the touchline, the ball is disrupted from the next throw-in. Fiji defend defend of it though and bash into the center of the opposition. Carrying to about 10-metres out. The defence is completely staunch though by Portugal, with the double tackles raining in to send Fiji backwards.
9:18PM
Yellow card remains
Due to a gradual step from the ball-provider, Botia’s yellow card will dwell simply a yellow.
9:17PM
TRY PORTUGAL! 50 min FIJ 10 POR 17
Fiji are defending for his or her lives off the driving line-out after a classy one-handed rob.
The maul comes comely up to the dual carriageway, and it’s Francisco Fernandes who bursts over with a tight lift.
The conversion is completely staunch, and Portugal reclaim the lead. This game has totally unfolded.
9:15PM
Yellow card evaluate
Botia is despatched to the bin for a excessive shot. There is clearly a gradual alternate of direction from the attacker, but head contact modified into made with Marta, and Botia will were decrease. We’ll wait and be taught what the bunker decides…
9:13PM
FIJI TRY! 47 min FIJ 10 POR 10
It’s barely doubtless to defend up. After Portugal destroy down the left, they detect as if they would possibly well presumably ranking one more in rapid succession.
But the ball breaks and Maqala gathers, charging wait on downfield. It seems to be like there may be no person wait on, but Portugal roam properly forcing him inner. Fiji defend their composure though and defend it tight. At final it’s the ‘demolition man’ Botia who burrows over.
Fiji kick the conversion, and the ratings are all square again.
9:10PM
TRY PORTUGAL! 44 min FIJ 3 POR 10
Portugal rob to the skies for the foremost time, and Portela makes an fabulous rob.
With Fiji running backwards, Portugal play rapid to Bettencourt who puts boot to ball, grubbering it by device of to the nook.
The ball sits up perfectly for Storti, who has two men on him, but the flying winger squeezes into the nook to ranking.
The kick goes over to boot. Portugal lead!
9:07PM
43 min FIJ 3 POR 3
Fiji power the scrum penalty, they most incessantly’re wait on within the groove.
They need to now defend their private line-out. Scrap that, they fail to hit touch and lose the advantage their forwards occupy simply given them. One other rookie error.
9:06PM
42 min FIJ 3 POR 3
Fiji disrupt at the dual carriageway-out prior to a transient kicking trade offers the ball wait on on half-formulation.
Os Lobos are using the width properly, and again they collect in at the wait on of with Mike Tadjer catching the ball at the wait on of his wait on and peaceful managing to collect the off-load away.
Portugal are reloading so rapid, and Fiji are struggling to form out it.
At final a wide form out from Nayacalevu forces the knock-on.
9:04PM
41 min FIJ 3 POR 3
Nayacalevu went down with a pained detect on his face as his studs slipped by device of the grass. But he is wait on on his feet again after receiving treatment.
9:03PM
40 min FIJ 3 POR 3
Fiji collect us wait on under formulation, but Portugal salvage and are in the present day on the entrance foot. Fiji are penalised for a facet entry at the ruck, and Portugal knock the ball into touch for a line-out.
8:56PM
Half-time prognosis
Fundamental work from Portugal, who occupy looked the more awful of the two teams up to now. They were dogged at the breakdown, expertly selecting their 2nd to lift out the turnover, prior to zipping the ball out wide and, crucially, offloading to hand.
After an off-color efficiency final week against Georgia, Simon Raiwalui would were hoping for a wide response from his Fijian facet. But up to now, it has been more of the same.
There were particular particular person flashes of quality – a couple of wide hits and carries from the like of Botia, Tuisova and Nayacalevu – but the Fijian ball carriers occupy continually found themselves isolated.
Most disappointing for Fiji followers though has been their sick-discipline. Having proved themselves the masters of breakdown turnovers against Australia, they’ve been beaten at their private game up to now.
They need to tighten up in this utter, and with their ball dealing with, to accumulate some sense of momentum in this 2nd-half.
8:52PM
40 min FIJ 3 POR 3
Fiji occupy Portugal marching backwards within the scrum, but hooker Tadjer does barely adequate to claw the ball wait on for his facet.
Portugal hoick the ball into touch leaving the two aspects stage at half-time.
8:46PM
39 min FIJ 3 POR 3
Fiji play a nice wrap transfer in midfield with Botitu playing a omit-pass to birth Habosi down the left flank.
Fiji then transfer it across field and force up into the Portugal 22. But they’re penalised for a knock-on on the ground.
A truly sad decision by Luke Pearce for what’s clearly arms within the ruck by Portugal with their tackler no longer rolling away. Fiji whinge, but Pearce bats off the criticism.
8:43PM
37 min FIJ 3 POR 3
Portugal win one more penalty advantage then a sad pass is volleyed by device of by Storti and duly chased. The ball holds up simply in need of the dual carriageway but the wing, under wide stress, knocks on as he goes to dive on it.
Portugal rob the nice option and lunge for the posts, levelling the ratings.
The sport is being played at a aroused tempo, and Fiji appear on the ropes within the mean time.
8:41PM
33 min FIJ 3 POR 0
Portugal destroy and kick by device of, but a groovy-headed Botitu kicks wait on to procure utter within the left nook. The supreme player wait on is Portuguese hooker Mike Tadjer who produces a textual impart-e book stop over stop kick. The team like that.
Fiji then fail to play to the referee’s whistle off the subsequent fragment, and Portugal catch prior to flying up-field again. They kick by device of but it goes silly to be touched down.
Portugal receive Fiji’s tryline dropout, but they’re in the present day wait on on the attack, showing an fabulous array of offloads to attach Fiji on the backfoot. At final Fiji are penalised for an off-the-ball form out, and Portugal kick to the nook. Fiji are weak at the lineout force, and Portugal will strive to exploit that.
8:37PM
33 min FIJ 3 POR 0
It’s no longer all going Fiji’s formulation up to now, and glimmers of frustration are starting to pronounce as the ball dribbles into touch.
8:36PM
31 min FIJ 3 POR 0
Fiji disrupt the maul at the dual carriageway-out and then power the ball free within the form out as it goes wide. Fiji kick by device of but then dive on the wait on-pedaling Portuguese player and are pinged for it. Fiji are hemorrhaging penalties within the mean time.
8:34PM
29 min FIJ 3 POR 0
After 3.5 video games at this World Cup, Fiji give away their first penalty at their private scrum.
Portugal will seemingly be please with that one. They knock it to touch simply outdoors the Fiji 22.
8:33PM
27 min FIJ 3 POR 0
Portugal box kick to Habosi. It’s a decent option, but the winger puts in a hitch kick, and then he’s away. He beats three gamers, galivanting up to midfield, but his enhance are nowhere to be considered. Portugal produce properly to lift the winger down and then power a turnover penalty. With Fiji caught Rip van Winkle, Portugal rapid-faucet, but the foremost receiver knocks on. There modified into acres of utter out to the comely, and his expression says it all.
8:30PM
26 min FIJ 3 POR 0
With out be aware Portugal are on the destroy by device of Storti on the comely flank. Storti shoots down the wing prior to striking in a properly-weighted kick, but Lomani does barely adequate to disrupt. Maqala is then the quickest to react and dives on the ball to bail out his crew. Fiji determined and Portugal occupy a line-out.
8:29PM
24 min FIJ 3 POR 0
Fiji rob at the entrance of the dual carriageway-out and hit into midfield by device of Tuisova. He’s up-ended by a decent low form out. The ball comes free again, but it’s backwards this time, and Fiji roll on, crashing up by device of Botia. The ball comes out left to the wait on, and it seems to be like there would be some utter. But Maqala loses his footing and is pounced on by two Portugal defenders who power a turnover penalty. Portugal determined.
8:27PM
23 min FIJ 3 POR 0
One other dealing with error for Fiji – that makes it six. This time Tuisova puts moderately of footwork on to collect on the outdoors of his man, but the ball bursts free as he seems to be to offload. Portugal scrum in midfield.
Be aware, this Fijian scrum has been the most dominant at the World Cup up to now. The Fijian forwards have not misplaced a single one on their private ball and occupy milked other teams for penalties on theirs. And they produce so again right here – Ferreira is penalised.
8:24PM
21 min FIJ 3 POR 0
Fiji defend issues straightforward at the dual carriageway-out and play from the entrance.
Fiji are carrying powerfully, but Portugal are defending smartly, selecting and selecting when to command for the ball and when to fan out in defence.
Fiji procure a couple of yards of utter on the comely flank, but the final pass goes to ground prior to bouncing into touch. The Fijian player slaps the ground in frustration.
8:22PM
18 min FIJ 3 POR 0
Fiji are the architects of their private anguish up to now, with four dealing with errors stifling their attack, and giving Portugal the prospect to destroy. This time the ball goes down, is kicked by device of by Os Lobos, and Fiji knock-on as they jog wait on.
Fortunately for Fiji, they win a scrum penalty against the top and kick to touch for a line-out.
8:20PM
17 min FIJ 3 POR 0
Fiji kick long and Portugal strive to peek it over the silly ball for a scrum wait on. But the flying kick jog from Ravutaumada makes them think better of it, they most incessantly touch down.
8:20PM
17 min FIJ 3 POR 0
Fiji possess a alternate as Mayanavanua comes off early with what seems to be like a knee grievance.
8:18PM
15 min FIJ 3 POR 0
Both teams are playing with a diploma of conservatism, selecting to engage within the kicking battle as adverse to simply running it. Portugal within the extinguish lunge wait on to what they know and flee it into midfield. They win a breakdown penalty and determined for a lineout spherical half-formulation.
8:16PM
13 min FIJ 3 POR 0
Fiji occupy fair staunch entrance foot ball, but Nayavalevu knocks on and Portugal determined up-field prior to regathering. They low-field kick to the comely but the ball goes out. Fiji then lunge rapid and lift into the Portuguese half, but the roam defence is completely staunch and Portugal isolate the opposition. Exact as they win it wait on though, Tuisova flies by device of the ruck like a warmth looking out for missile to obliterate the Portuguese ball provider.
8:14PM
13 min FIJ 3 POR 0
Fiji transfer the ball left down the dual carriageway to Nayacalevu, who puts by device of an experienced grubber off his left boot to pin wait on Portugal. They may be able to handiest reach the 22 with their clearance.
8:13PM
12 min FIJ 3 POR 0
Portugal lunge from flit to flit off the dual carriageway-out but Fiji’s defence is completely staunch, and Os Lobos are shepherded wide.
Kick tennis ensues prior to Magala displays magic feet to lift wait on.
8:12PM
10 min FIJ 3 POR 0
Fiji win the re-originate prior to Lomani hits touch with his box kick. Fiji appear to occupy made the tactical decision to collect the ball out, going against their innate instincts to defend the ball alive in any recognize charges.
8:11PM
9 min FIJ 3 POR 0
Fiji’s secure carrying game puts stress on Portugal, forcing the off-facet penalty.
Raiwalui’s facet pronounce secure game administration to lunge for posts, and Lomani bends one by device of David Beckham-vogue.
Fiji lead.
8:08PM
7 min FIJ 0 POR 0
Portugal tumble it on the boot off first fragment, having a watch to birth winger Storti. The kick lands moderately rapid though, and the Fijian beefy-wait on leaps and fields properly.
Fiji win the lineout when their kick is charged down, but Portugal disrupt again and detect to play inner their private half. The tackles are flying in from Fiji – this time it’s Tuisova who marmalises Cardoso Pinto. Every hit draws an exhale of breath from the gang as if to speak, ‘better you than me’.
8:06PM
5 min FIJ 0 POR 0
This time it’s Fiji who fight at the dual carriageway-out. It’s an utter that Georgia made messy, and one which Fiji will occupy to unravel if they’re to reach the quarter-finals.
Portugal scrum left spherical half-formulation.
8:05PM
4 min FIJ 0 POR 0
Mawi wins one more turnover – already Fiji’s third of the game, and Fiji detect to play inner their private 22 to the comely.
Exact reactive defence from Portugal forces the ball free, but Fiji occupy a penalty.
They determined for a lineout on half-formulation.
8:04PM
3 min FIJ 0 POR 0
After a decent first lineout, this one is a little over-thrown but regathered by Lima.
Portugal dribble one by device of as the ball comes out, and Fiji touch it down over the dual carriageway prior to clearing the 50-22.
8:03PM
2 min FIJ 0 POR 0
Portugal collect dapper ball off the top and hit into midfield, making progress. But a sharp Fijian defender notices the ball is out of the ruck and pounces on it to flip over. Tuisova autos up the comely wing, but as they near wait on the opposite direction Portugal win a breakdown penalty.
Portugal kick to touch for a lineout at some point of the opposition 22.
8:01PM
1 min FIJ 0 POR 0
Luke Pearce blows his whistle, and we’re off.
Portugal kick deep comely and Fiji determined in the present day to touch. No messing spherical.
Portugal line-out on the opposition 10.
7:59PM
The anthems
Portugal lunge first, and there are tears within the eyes of more than a couple of of the wide men – the fervour etched onto their faces. With out reference to all the pieces, this is also the final likelihood they collect to play in a World Cup.
Fiji lunge subsequent with a rousing efficiency prior to Nayacalevu leads them within the Cibi.
Kick off subsequent!
7:55PM
The teams are out
Portugal, of their white jerseys, are led out by captain Nayacalevu. Portugal are swish in purple and led by fresh captain Jose Lima.
Now: time for the anthems!
7:51PM
Having a punt?
7:48PM
Our experts’ detect of Fiji’s file and potentialities
7:45PM
Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui
This week we’ve labored laborious. We’ve got a decent crew against Portugal tonight. We’ve been addressing the basics to strive to collect a beefy 80 minute efficiency out of them.
We’ve got to defend watch over the contact utter, minimise the mistakes in touch and be clinical.
7:40PM
Thoughts are with Joshua Tuisova and his household
Fiji’s performances up to now this World Cup occupy obtained the hearts and minds of rugby supporters internationally. And few gamers were more stand-out than Joshua Tuisova – the player nicknamed ‘the bus’.
The actual person-mountain of a centre has exuded physicality and creativity in Fiji’s opening pool video games against Wales, Australia and Georgia, and even scored the strive against the Wallabies that allowed his facet to draw determined.
It therefore came as awful data to the rugby world to hear that Tuisova’s son tragically died quickly prior to the centre modified into out to play against Georgia final week.
Plod right here to read Ben Coles’ beefy story.
7:33PM
Portugal tumble captain
Portugal possess five changes, together with dropping captain Tomas Appleton to the bench, with coach Patrice Lagisquet admitting the records wasn’t welcomed by some within the squad.
“For some gamers, our choices were very hard to realize because after three and a half months they anticipated to play, and due to the mindset [to train hard]at some point of this interval, they additionally deserved to play to be staunch,” Lagisquet acknowledged.
“About a of the gamers, we’ve accomplished their profession they most incessantly anticipated to play this final game. But we’ve explained why we’ve performed these choices, despite the incontrovertible truth that it’s very hard for gamers to collect and realize after they’re no longer within the 23.”
Jose Lima replaces Appleton at inner centre and takes over the captaincy for a fourth time. The different changes from the facet who misplaced to Australia final week encompass loosehead prop Francisco Fernandes and Steevy Cerqueira, who reprises his 2nd row partnership with Jose Madeira.
Rafael Simoes modified Thibault de Freitas at No 8 within the final alternate to the pack. Someplace else, Manuel Cardoso Pinto begins at fullback, changing livewire Nuno Sousa Guedes.
7:23PM
Fiji take a look at out tyro flee-half
Fiji possess six changes to the facet that beat Georgia as Vilimoni Botitu begins at flee-half for handiest the 2nd time.
Typically a middle, Botitu’s handiest old flee-half originate for Fiji modified into against Scotland final November at Murrayfield.
Who wears the amount 10 jersey has been a enviornment of debate for Fiji after first selection playmaker Caleb Muntz suffered a tournament-ending knee anguish days prior to flying out. Teti Tela has began all three old pool video games but drops to the bench tonight.
Botitu begins inner aim-kicking scrum-half Frank Lomani, who has near off the bench within the final two video games and added 10 mandatory aspects.
Someplace else, Northampton-sure Temo Mayanavanua begins within the 2nd row, within the intervening time the Drua’s Meli Derenalagi moves into the wait on row alongside Derenalagi, who makes his first originate of the tournament.
Semi Radradra is rested, to be modified by Vinaya Habosi on the left wing while Sireli Maqala subs in for Ilaisa Droasese at beefy-wait on.
“We’ve had some excellent coaching, the fellows occupy attach their arms up,” coach Simon Raiwalui acknowledged. “There were some bangs and bruises from the final match and 2 others who occupy in actuality earned their spots.”
7:00PM
The teams
Starting XV: 15-Sireli Maqala, 14-Selestino Ravutaumada, 13-Waisea Nayacalevu, 12-Josua Tuisova, 11-Vinaya Habosi, 10-Vilimoni Botitu, 9-Frank Lomani, 1-Eroni Mawi, 2-Sam Matavesi, 3-Luke Tagi, 4-Isoa Nasilasila, 5-Temo Mayanavanua, 6-Ratu Meli Derenalagi, 7-Levani Botia, 8-Viliame Mata
Replacements: 16-Tevita Ikanivere, 17-Peni Ravai, 18-Mesake Doge, 19-Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 20-Albert Tuisue, 21-Peni Matawalu, 22-Teti Tela, 23-Iosefo Masi
News Portugal:
Starting XV: 15-Manuel Cardoso Pinto, 14-Raffaele Storti, 13-Pedro Bettencourt, 12-Jose Lima, 11-Rodrigo Marta, 10-Jeronimo Portela, 9-Samuel Marques, 1-Francisco Fernandes, 2-Mike Tadjer, 3-Diogo Hasse Ferreira, 4-Jose Madeira, 5-Steevy Cerqueira, 6-David Wallis de Carvalho, 7-Nicolas Martins, 8-Rafael Simoes
Replacements: 16-David Costa, 17-Duarte Diniz, 18-Anthony Alves, 19-Duarte Torgal, 20-Joao Granate, 21-Joao Belo, 22-Tomas Appleton, 23-Vincent Pinto
Referee: Luke Pearce
6:49PM
Portugal vie to put Australian blushes
Hello and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s protection of tonight’s Pool B clash between Fiji and Portugal in Toulouse.
With Wales having already certified as winners of the pool, Australia followers will seemingly be praying that Portugal can pull off the miraculous tonight and secure victory over Fiji – thereby saving the Wallabies from their first ever pool stage exit.
Eddie Jones’ condemned facet were compelled to dwell in France for one more week, and defend coaching, as they look forward to the tip result of tonight’s match.
But given the rambunctious tag of rugby Fiji occupy played this tournament, an upset appears like wishful thinking.
After a so-near, so-far 32-26 loss to Wales, they rallied to humble Australia 22-15 prior to grinding out a 17-12 victory against Georgia to lunge away them one point from quarter-final qualification prior to kick-off.
A win tonight would be taught them lift out 2nd within the Pool, developing a quarter-final re-match against England after their victory at Twickenham in September’s World Cup warmth-up fixture.
Nonetheless, by the low good judgment of head-to-head outcomes, these two aspects would be more evenly matched than they detect on paper. Fiji tralied Georgia till the sixty fourth minute prior to within the extinguish prevailing in a shut fought game. Within the intervening time, Portugal drew 18-18 with Georgia, and will occupy near away with powerful more had Nuno Guedes’s final-minute penalty no longer drifted wide of the posts.
Portugal occupy impressed this tournament with their free-flowing vogue and innovative line-out that caught Wales sleeping to accumulate themselves a assortment of fresh followers.
After a 28-8 loss to Wales, they were denied their first World Cup win after a spectacular near-wait on against Georgia prior to striking in a decent showing against Australia to lose 34-14.
Fiji occupy obtained their two old meetings with Portugal, the most most up-to-date of which came in 2013 when a younger Levani Botia scored the final of their six tries to lift home a 36-13 victory.
Patrice Lagisquet’s Portugal will prefer to signal off from an encouraging tournament with a negate victory, as it’s seemingly to be the final game for a assortment of these alive to.
“I need to delight in every minute, every 2nd because I like all these gamers and I in actuality delight in what they’ve performed,” acknowledged Lasgiquet.
“I need to gawk for the success they all demand they most incessantly deserve. I would possibly well love to fraction one more victory or one thing wide one more time with them.”
Fiji prop Eroni Mawi acknowledged: “There are continually expectations getting wait on from home, but we occupy to give consideration to ourselves as a crew going into the final pool game.”
”[We are] no longer having a watch forward to the quarter-finals yet, we are focusing on this game as it determines where we lunge forwards, so within the mean time we are attempting to produce our thing, play our Fijian rugby and hope for the win.”