Louis sees Wales are Ron their way
Wales 28
Portugal 8
LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT performed Ronaldo’s signature ‘siu’ celebration after scoring the try which set Wales on their way to a crucial World Cup victory.
But it was Cristiano’s country Portugal who won the hearts of neutrals as Warren Gatland’s side were given an unexpectedly tough workout in Nice.
Ultimately, a much-changed Welsh team had enough to maintain their winning start and hand their Kiwi coach a record 17th career World Cup win.
Rees-zammit, Dewi Lake, Jac Morgan and Toby Faletau crossed to give them a bonus-point win which puts them five clear of Australia in Pool C.
But how Wales were made to toil for it by a minnow rugby nation carrying Ronaldo’s best wishes into only their second World Cup.
Gatland said: “It wasn’t pretty but we got the job done in the end.
“A few guys looked a little rusty, not having played together for a little while.
“In fairness to Portugal they put us under pressure, they moved the ball and I was impressed with them.”
The Portuguese are only here because Spain were kicked out for fielding an ineligible player in the qualifying competition, but how they made the most of their reprieve.
Two days after Uruguay gave the mighty France a terrific rattle in Lille, the world No.16-ranked nation provided further evidence that underdogs at this tournament can deliver a bite as well as a bark.
For much of the first half they gave Wales the runaround, stretching them on the edges and turning them by kicking intelligently. Os Lobos hunted like the wolf they are nicknamed after, with Samuel Marques putting pace into their game and his forwards slowing Welsh ball to a trickle. Wales scored at either end of the first half but in between Faletau saved a try with a lastditch tackle and Johnny Williams was sin-binned preventing another. To think the last meeting between the nations, back in 1994, had brought 16 tries and 102 points for Wales. Portugal are a different proposition these days. It started well enough for Wales with Rees-zammit linking with Morgan, a late change at openside, and winning a chip and chase to score and launch himself into that Ronaldo celebration (left). But Wales had to wait until the stroke of half-time to add a second through their skipper. And even when Morgan burrowed over for number three Portugal responded with the moment of the match. With Wales set up to defend a maul five metres out, Portugal threw to the middle and fired it straight back inside to flanker Nicolas Martins who dived over for the try. Fancy that, No.7 scoring for Portugal. It seemed Wales would even blow the try bonus point, but on the final play of the game Faletau took matters into his own hands. With Portugal down to 14 men, Wales’ scrum wheeled left and Big Toby picked up and ploughed over, to pocket the bonus.
WALES:
PORTUGAL: