Fiji went right down to a shock 24-23 defeat by Portugal in Toulouse on Sunday however nonetheless certified for a World Cup quarter-final with England and ensured the elimination of Australia.
Fiji, who solely wanted one level from the sport, completed runners-up in Pool C behind Wales and can play the English, whom they beat at Twickenham in either side’ last World Cup warm-up match, in Marseille, a day after the Welsh tackle Argentina on the identical Stade Velodrome.
The results of the fortieth and last pool recreation of the match in France additionally noticed Eddie Jones’ Wallabies end in third spot to overlook out the knock-out section for the primary time.
The Fijians appeared out of kinds in a nervy show marred by a variety of dealing with errors underneath intense strain from Portugal, whose victory — because of a transformed strive two minutes from time — was their first at a World Cup.
“It is incredible and unbelievable,” stated Portugal coach Patrice Lagisquet. “The players always find resources that I never expected.
“That last try, it was amazing. They still surprise me after four years and it is an incredible group.” Fiji coach Simon Raiwalui heaped reward on Portugal.
“They stuck in and got the try at the end, full credit to them,” he stated “We’re disappointed to not get that win, we were a bit tired in terms of context of the game, but Portugal can enjoy tonight.” Turning to England, Raiwalui added: “We have got to reassess tomorrow and recover, they are a very good tournament team England – but we will review it first.” Fiji scrum-half Frank Lomani received the scoreboard ticking with an early penalty in a high-tempo begin to the sport, with the Pacific Islanders trying to construct on wins over Australia (22-15) and Georgia (17-12) after a gap 32-26 defeat by Wales.
But Portugal, with the ever present Samuel Marques marshalling his workforce, gave nearly as good as they received within the early skirmishes.
Portugal got here into the sport winless, having misplaced to Wales (28-8) and Australia (34-14) both aspect of an 18-18 draw with Georgia.
And as the sport opened up in direction of the tip of the first-half, it was the Portuguese who took the sport by the scruff of the neck, Rodrigo Marta going shut on a kick and chase earlier than an assault marked by a variety of offloads led to them kicking for contact as they looked for a rating.
The ball was recycled however star winger Raffaele Storti knocked on over the road as he chased down a go that got here off his toe.
Marques kicked the penalty to attract the scores degree after a earlier Fijian infringement.
– Chaos guidelines – The recreation turned on its head in 10 loopy minutes within the second interval. Storti loved a profitable second chunk of the apple, outpacing Vinaya Habosi to latch on to a Pedro Bettencourt grubber after Jeronimo Portela outjumped everybody to assemble a excessive up-and-under.
Marques transformed, however from the restart chaos dominated, Marta breaking two tackles and sprinting upfield. The winger discovered Nicolas Martins inside, however the flanker’s go went to floor and was scooped up by Fiji full-back Sireli Maqala.
Maqala surged again into Portuguese territory and when he was pulled to floor, Levani Botia crashed over, Lomani changing to make it 10 factors apiece.
When Botia was yellow carded virtually instantly after for a excessive sort out on Portela, Portugal ripped again and veteran prop Francisco Fernandes was pushed over for his aspect’s second strive. Marques made no mistake with the conversion.
Fiji responded, dominating possession and territory, however a driving double sort out by Fernandes and Martins on Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta and hooker Mike Tadjer forcing Habosi right into a knock-on involved had been symbolic of Portugal’s doughty defence.
Mesake Doge lastly broke the impasse, crashing over with 12 minutes to play, Lomani changing to degree the scores as soon as once more.
The Fijian scrum-half was then heading in the right direction with two penalties that appeared to have handed Fiji the win.
But Marta crossed for a strive with two minutes to play, Marques delivering the coup de grace conversion for a well-known victory.
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Quarter-finals lineup for the Rugby World Cup
Saturday, October 14 At Marseille Wales v Argentina
At Paris Ireland v New Zealand
Sunday, October 15 At Marseille England v Fiji
At Paris France v South Africaafp
Source: www.foxsports.com.au