SAINT-ETIENNE: Australia kept their faint hopes of reaching the Rugby World Cup knockout stages alive with an unconvincing 34-14 victory over minnows Portugal on Sunday.

Tries from forwards Richie Arnold, David Porecki, Angus Bell and Fraser McReight, and winger Marika Koroibete secured Australia a bonus point and a Pool C lifeline, while Portugal hit back through Pedro Bettencourt and Rafael Simoes.

The Wallabies can still reach the quarter-finals if Fiji lose to Portugal next week without a bonus point.It was a poignant night for Wallaby prop James Slipper, who broke his country’s record for the most caps at a World Cup.

Published in Dawn, October 3rd, 2023