The Wallabies are officially out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup despite Portugal’s stunning win over Fiji in the tournament’s final game.
Fiji still qualified for a World Cup quarter-final with England and ensured Australia were eliminated, needing just one point from the game to finish runners-up in Pool C behind Wales.
It is the first time Australia have failed to progress beyond the pool stage of the tournament.
The Fijians got their bonus point after losing by less than seven points, with Portugal taking a late lead to win 24-23 in a thrilling finish to the pool matches.
It was Portugal’s first World Cup victory and Nicolas Martins, who was named man of the match, could not hide his emotions.
‘Work hard on this. I have no words to say, it’s historic… I think it’s the best moment of my life,” said Martins.
Portugal’s Rodrigo Mata (centre) celebrates after scoring his side’s third try in a stunning win over hot favorites Fiji.
There were wild scenes as the losers lost the mass riot – and if they had just won a few more points, the Wallabies would still be alive in the tournament
Portugal captain Jose Lima even broke down in tears and said it meant everything to the fans and players.
“You can see our fans, our team, that the win means a lot,” said Lima.
“Today we show the world that we can compete at this level and we can win games at this level as well.”
The Wallabies finished with two wins over Georgia and Portugal, and two defeats against Wales and Fiji to miss the World Cup finals for the first time.
But Rugby Australia officials have continued to back coach Eddie Jones, who has a five-year contract, despite his links to the Japan coaching role.
Jones has insisted he is fully committed to the Wallabies despite reportedly holding a secret interview with Japanese rugby officials just days before the World Cup kicks off.
The coach was reported to have called from Paris for the interview on August 25, just two days before the Wallabies’ warm-up game with France which they lost 41-17.
