SAINT-ETIENNE: The Wallabies have kept their slim Rugby World Cup hopes alive with a 34-14 win over Portugal in Saint-Etienne.
The five points banked sees Australia jump Fiji into second place in Pool C but Fiji will advance to the quarter-finals if they pick up a point or more in their final pool clash against Portugal next Monday (AEDT).
If they don’t win in a match they’ll be heavily favoured in, Fiji can get that bonus point by scoring four or more tries or losing by seven points or less.
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Wales (3-0) have already qualified for the quarter-finals.
Australia scored five tries and at one stage were reduced to 13 men in an entertaining clash in front of a bumper crowd at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.
“The faintest of pulses but the Wallabies have revived their Rugby World Cup hopes. Maybe, just maybe,” Sean Maloney said on Stan Sport.
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Wallabies coach Eddie Jones was understandably a relieved man.
“We’re still alive. That was the aim of the day,” Jones said.
“For a young team down to 13 men we showed plenty of courage and fought hard. We’ve done that all season, sometimes the results haven’t been in our favour…well, most of the time.
“It’s a real credit to them. You look at the experience of our players out there, we’re averaging less than 20 caps.”
It was only Australia’s second win of the season under Jones as they finish pool play with a 2-2 record.
With no game to prepare for this weekend, Jones will allow his players some time off.
“I’ve never experienced this before so I really don’t know.” Jones said when asked how he would prepare.
“We were anticipating we’d be in the quarter-finals so we have plans to have three days off and then three days training.
“We’ll see on Sunday night (local time). Portugal played with plenty of spirit tonight so you never know.”
Portugal shocked the Wallabies with the opening try but Australia’s forwards seized control with three tries while Os Lobos were reduced to 14 men in the first half.
“I thought defensively we worked really hard,” Jones said.
“Attack-wise we had bits and pieces. We still lack that clinical edge to our game. We do some good things and then we give the ball back too quickly.”