Wales 28-8 Portugal: Taulupe Faletau scores last-gasp try to secure crucial bonus point win as much-changed Welsh maintain perfect start at the Rugby World Cup with scrappy victory over Euro minnows
- Taulupe Faletau powered over to seal bonus point win with last play of the game
- Louis Rees-Zammit, Wales captain Dewi Lake and Jac Morgan also scored tries
- Wales made it two wins out of two and will face Australia in their next match
- Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results
Warren Gatland will celebrate his 60th birthday on Sunday but he will surely do so with a few more grey hairs after his Wales side were given real cause for worry by Portugal.
In the end, a second-string Wales outfit showing 13 changes from their opening win over Fiji did enough to come out on top on the Cote d’Azur and with a much-needed bonus point too.
But it was far from easy.
Louis Rees-Zammit’s try and Cristiano Ronaldo-style celebration was an early high for Gatland and Taulupe Faletau’s effort with the last play may yet prove crucial.
A lack of cohesion from Wales was perhaps no surprise given head coach Gatland’s vast rotation, but the number of errors and failure to dominate was.
Wales stormed to a 28-8 victory over Portugal in their second Rugby World Cup group game
Wales No 8 Taulupe Faletau powered over to seal a bonus point with the last play of the game
The much-changed Wales side were put to the test against Portugal but came out on top
Portugal, to their credit, were excellent. This was only the second time the two sides have met. On the previous occasion, Wales won 102-11 in 1994.
Their class of 2023 came nowhere near to producing such a comprehensive display but at World Cups, winning is everything and Gatland will just be happy his team are now two from two and have a perfect record of 10 points. Australia are up next in Lyon.
Tommy Reffell withdrew right on the eve of kick-off.
Jac Morgan came straight into the Wales side to start and almost immediately put in a trademark big hit. Morgan went on to be named player of the match.
Gatland’s patience would have been tested by an open first quarter.
It was probably too open for those of a Welsh persuasion. They should have gone behind. When Wales were penalised for offside, Samuel Marques was given an easy kick at goal.
The Portuguese scrum-half fluffed his three-point effort.
Then came Rees-Zammit. Wales’ intent to play was obvious and from a Portugal turnover, Morgan was in midfield and found Rees-Zammit who kicked ahead on receiving possession.
It was smart play from the flying wing who knew he would be immediately tackled if he held on to the ball. With space ahead of him, it was no surprise Rees-Zammit collected to score.
Wales boss Warren Gatland will be delighted with the performance from his side on Saturday
Louis Rees-Zammit celebrated his opening try with Cristiano Ronaldo-style celebration
The Ronaldo celebration from the avid Manchester United fan seemed to anger the Portuguese members of the crowd who maybe took afront to Rees-Zammit trying to emulate their country’s most famous sportsman. Leigh Halfpenny converted.
Portugal were determined not to die wondering.
They offloaded for fun and the end-to-end nature of the game – fuelled by Wales’ failure to keep hold of the ball – suited them down to the ground. They had joy with a chip and chase.
Portugal flanker Nicolas Martins was outstanding and only a brilliant try-saving tackle from Faletau stopped him making it to the line.
Morgan won a breakdown penalty and Christ Tshiunza made a clean line break. Mason Grady carried with purpose. Halfpenny claimed an up and under.
But in between, Portugal more than had their moments. They caused worry in the Wales defence, centre Johnny Williams panicking and playing the ball on the ground.
The centre was justly yellow carded. Only brilliant defensive work from Halfpenny kept Portugal out.
Wales knew they were in a contest. Their breakdown work was not efficient enough.
When Rio Dyer attempted to run the ball back, he was cut in half by the Portugal defence.
The Wolves were wonderful in the first half. Jeronimo Portela’s drop goal attempt went wide but Marques’ penalty put them on the board.
Wales captain Dewi Lake (above) crashed over for the second try in the first-half
Grady’s pass straight into touch added to Welsh frustration but in added time, co-captain Dewi Lake took control. The hooker tapped a penalty and ran and then crashed over after Williams was ruled to be short of the line. Halfpenny’s kick made it 14-3.
Two Lake line-out throws in the Portugal 22 went awry at the start of the second half. Wales can’t afford to make those sorts of errors if they are to beat the best teams at this World Cup.
They did win a scrum against the head, but then Gareth Anscombe kicked the ball away.
When Wales were penalised for crossing, they were again fortunate Marques failed to narrow their lead.
Gatland had seen enough and made four forward replacements. He knew it was in the tight where Wales could get some joy so long as they retained the ball. So it proved.
Morgan, who had taken over the captaincy with Lake replaced, crashed over. Halfpenny added his third conversion.
Portugal refused to go away. When hooker Mike Tadjer looked into the stands as he prepared a crucial line-out throw, it seemed he could barely believe the support for his team.
Tadjer’s set-piece delivery was fantastic, the Portugal line-out completely deceiving Wales leaving Martins to score unopposed. Marques’ missed kicks hurt his team.
Flanker Jac Morgan, a late inclusion for the injured Tommy Reffell, scored the third try
Wales’ line-out was poor by comparison, even with Ryan Elias on for Lake. Gatland continued to unload his bench, fly-half Anscombe replaced by Sam Costelow.
Gareth Davies thought he’d grabbed Wales a fourth after being set-up by Rees-Zammit, but the try was ruled out for blocking – something which was a repeated problem for Gatland’s side.
Portugal lost wing Vincent Pinto to a late red card but even with a man advantage, it looked like Wales wouldn’t grab a vital bonus point.
That was until Faletau stood up to be counted with a crucial effort which Costelow improved to ensure Gatland will be able to celebrate his birthday with a win.
MATCH FACTS
Wales: Tries: Rees-Zammit, J. Williams, Morgan, Faletau.
Cons: Halfpenny 3, Costelow.
Wales: Halfpenny, Rees-Zammit, Grady, J. Williams, Dyer, Anscombe, T. Williams, Smith, Lake, Lewis, Tshiunza, Jenkins, Lydiate, Morgan, Faletau.
Replacements: Adams for Halfpenny (70), Costelow for Anscombe (65), Domachowski for Smith (51), Elias for Lake (51), Francis for Lewis (51), Beard for Jenkins (51), Basham for Lydiate (54).
Not Used: G. Davies.
Sin Bin: J. Williams (26).
Portugal: Tries: Martins. Pens: Marques.
Portugal: Guedes, V. Pinto, Lima, Appleton, Marta, Portela, Marques, Fernandes, Tadjer, Alves, M. Bello, Cerqueira, Granate, Martins, Simoes.
Replacements: Storti for Lima (58), Costa for Fernandes (61), Campergue for Tadjer (70), de Freitas for M. Bello (57), Wallis for Granate (66).
Not Used: Ferreira, Lucas, Moura.
Sent Off: V. Pinto (77).
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