Close Eddie Jones loses patience with reporters over constant questions about Japan job interview Australia will hope to put a disappointing tournament so far behind them as they take on Portugal in Pool C. For the first time, the Wallabies are set to go out of the Rugby World Cup before the knockout rounds begin – if Fiji secure even a losing bonus point against Portugal next weekend, Eddie Jones’s side will be out. Ahead of a crucial period for Australian rugby with a home tournament in four years’ time, the rebuilding begins now with a bonus point victory a must against a Portuguese side that have impressed mightily in France. Having pushed Wales far closer than most expected, Patrice Lagisquet’s squad narrowly missed out on an historic victory against Georgia and will be confident that they can test their opponents in Saint-Etienne. Could they even deepen the Wallabies’ woe? Follow all the latest from the Pool C match below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds here, plus the latest tips and free bets on the World Cup here . Australia face Portugal in final match of disastrous Pool C campaign Wallabies on verge of World Cup exit after defeats to Wales and Fiji 1696172363 Australia remain without regular captain Will Skelton and tighthead prop Taniela Tupou. Tupou’s absence leaves James Slipper to make history away from his regular home on the loosehead; the prop becomes the most-capped Wallaby in tournament history as he makes his 21st World Cup appearance. There’s a new centre pairing in the form of Lalakai Foketi and Izaia Perese, with Samu Kerevi dropped, but Ben Donaldson continues at fly half in a familiar midfield trio that spent last season with the Waratahs. Jamie Braidwood 1 October 2023 15:59 1696171583 Last weekend’s 40-6 loss to Wales marked the Wallabies’ second defeat in a row, and they will be out of the tournament if Fiji take even a point from their final Pool C fixture against the Portuguese next weekend. It would mark the first time Australia’s men have exited at the pool stages. They won’t take anything for granted here, either, with Portugal among this World Cup’s most impressive nations, pushing Wales hard for long periods of their opening fixture before drawing with Georgia. Here’s everything you need to know. Everything you need to know ahead of the Pool C fixture Jamie Braidwood 1 October 2023 15:46 1696171523 Australia will hope to put a disappointing tournament so far behind them as they take on Portugal in Pool C. For the first time, the Wallabies are set to go out of the Rugby World Cup before the knockout rounds begin – if Fiji secure even a losing bonus point against Portugal next weekend, Eddie Jones’s side will be out. Ahead of a crucial period for Australian rugby with a home tournament in four years’ time, the rebuilding begins now with a bonus point victory a must against a Portuguese side that have impressed mightily in France. Having pushed Wales far closer than most expected, Patrice Lagisquet’s squad narrowly missed out on an historic victory against Georgia and will be confident that they can test their opponents in Saint-Etienne. Could they even deepen the Wallabies’ woe? Follow all the latest from the Pool C match in today’s live blog: Jamie Braidwood 1 October 2023 15:45
Australia vs Portugal LIVE: Rugby World Cup latest build-up and updates
Sourceindependent.co.uk
RELATED ARTICLES