Eddie Jones and Australia keep hopes alive after bonus-point Portugal win

10/01/2023 02:08 PM

• Pool C: Australia 34-14 Portugal
• Wallabies need Fiji to lose final pool game

Wallaby fans do not currently know whether to laugh or cry. Even this bonus-point win felt like a mixed blessing, technically keeping them alive in the tournament but also serving to extend their agony for another week. Unless Fiji contrive to lose to Portugal in their final Pool C game on 8 October it will be game over for Australia regardless.

At least they avoided the ultimate indignity of defeat to a spirited Portuguese side who asked enough attacking questions to delight their thousands of exuberant travelling fans. Despite being temporarily being reduced to 13 men at one stage in the second half, however, Eddie Jones's side had a sufficiently big lead to avoid the unthinkable.