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The Wallabies are officially out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup despite Portugal’s stunning upset victory over Fiji in the final pool match of the tournament.
Fiji still qualified for a World Cup quarter-final with England and ensured the elimination of Australia, having needed only one point from the game to finish runner-up in Pool C behind Wales.
It’s the first time Australia have failed to progress after the pool stage of the tournament.
The Fijians got their bonus point after losing by fewer than seven points, with Portugal taking the lead late to win 24-23 in a thrilling conclusion to the pool matches.
It was Portugal’s first World Cup victory and Nicolas Martins, who was awarded man of the match, couldn’t hide his emotions.
‘Work a lot for that. I have no words to say, it is historic … I think it is the best moment of my life,’ Martins said.
Portugal’s Rodrigo Mata (centre) celebrates after scoring his side’s third try in the stunning victory over hot favourites Fiji
There were wild scenes as the underdogs pulled off the massive upset – and if they’d won by just a few points more, the Wallabies would still be alive in the tournament
Portugal captain Jose Lima was even brought to tears and said it meant everything to the fans and the players.
‘You can see our fans, our team, that victory means so much,’ Lima said.
‘Today we show the world we can compete at this level, and we can win games at this level as well.’
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The Wallabies finished with two wins over Georgia and Portugal, and two lossses to Wales and Fiji to miss the World Cup finals for the first time.
The team had stayed in France in the hope Portugal would win by enough to get them out of the pool stage, but will now fly back to Australia on Tuesday.
But Rugby Australia officials have continued to back coach Eddie Jones, who has a five-year contract, despite his links to the Japan head coaching role.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has led Australia to their worst ever result at a World Cup
Jones has maintained he is fully committed to the Wallabies despite reportedly doing a secret interview with Japanese rugby officials just days before the start of the World Cup.
The coach was reported reported to have dialed in from Paris for the interview on August 25, just two days before the Wallabies’ warm-up match with France that they lost 41-17.
Japan’s Rugby Football Union later refused to deny that the interview had taken place.
Josua Tuisova runs the ball against Portugal during his side’s shock loss, with the underdogs scoring a try in the 77th minute to seal the result
‘JRFU won’t disclose any information about candidates [name of individual or progress] until we decide and announce the new head coach, so unfortunately there is no comment from us so far because it’s not been decided,’ a spokesperson told the Sydney Morning Herald.
The 40-6 loss to Wales in France was a low point for the side, with Jones later saying sorry to fans for the shambolic display.
‘I would like to apologise to the Australian supporters,’ Jones said.
‘Our performances haven’t been up to the standard required. I take full responsibility for that and apologise.
‘I came back to Australian rugby to try and help,’ he said. ‘At the moment I’m not giving much help, am I? I’m a proud Australian and we’ve got to improve the whole of Australian rugby.’
