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Fraser McReight scores the Wallabies’ bonus point fourth try in their win over Portugal in Saint-Etienne.
At Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne: Australia 34 (Rory Arnold, Dave Porecki, Angus Bell, Fraser McReight, Marika Koroibete tries; Ben Donaldson pen, 3 con) Portugal 14 (Pedro Bettencourt, Rafael Simões tries; Samuel Marques 2 con). HT: 24-7.
Yellow cards: Pedro Bettencourt (Portugal) 15min; Matt Faessler (Australia) 60min; Samu Kerevi (Australia) 62 min.
Australia now have to wait a week before finding out their Rugby World Cup fate after a bonus point 34-14 win over Portugal despite two yellow cards in Saint-Etienne.
Eddie Jones’ team will be heading home if Fiji beat Portugal in Toulouse next Sunday (Monday NZ time).
The Wallabies did not look deserving of a quarterfinal place with a patchy display against the Portugese.
But they stayed in the fight with five tries – three in an eight-minute spell in the first half when Portugal had opening try-scorer Pedro Bettencourt in the sinbin.
Bettencourt stunned the Wallabies with a 12th minute score after Portugal stretched the Australian defence and took a 7-3 lead.
But three minutes later he copped a yellow card for a high tackle.
The Wallabies scored three tries, to lock Rory Arnold, captain Dave Porecki and prop Angus Bell, while Bettencourt was in the cooler.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
Pedro Bettencourt of Portugal scores against the Wallabies.
Australia couldn’t secure a bonus point fourth try before the interval, but got it early in the second half when busy flanker Fraser McReight crossed out wide.
The Wallabies were down to 14 men after hooker Matt Faessler was yellow-carded for illegally bringing down a maul as the Portugese pressed for the try-line.
Substitute Samu Kerevi joined him two minutes later for leading with an elbow. His offence was referred for a red card review, but the yellow card was upheld.
Portugal had several chances to score but the Wallabies’ dug deep on defence before the pressure eventually told and big forward Rafael Simões crashed over for Os Lobos’ second try after a scrum.
Marika Koroibete wrapped it up with the Wallabies’ fifth try.
MORE TO COME
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