Portugal put it up to wobbly Welsh before late surge
WALES took another step towards the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, but were given a fierce examination by minnows Portugal before winning 28-8 at Stade de Nice.
Warren Gatland’s much-changed team struggled throughout for control in the Pool C contest, with Portugal showing attacking flair.
Wales started with only three survivors from the side that defeated Fiji last weekend, and their latest display was a world away from what they delivered in Bordeaux six days ago.
Wing Louis Rees-Zammit, captain Dewi Lake, flanker Jac Morgan and number eight Taulupe Faletau scored tries, while Leigh Halfpenny kicked three conversions and Sam Costelow landed one, yet a vast improvement will be required against Australia in Lyon next weekend.
Portugal gave as good as they got for large parts of the game, and they undoubtedly deserved more than flanker Nicolas Martin’s try and a Samuel Marques penalty, with Wales not collecting a bonus point until the dying seconds.
Their exciting back division stretched Wales’ defence in all directions, although wing Vincent Pinto blotted the copybook when he red-carded late in the game after his boot caught Josh Adams in the face.
Wales suffered an injury blow shortly before kick-off when flanker Tommy Reffell withdrew from the starting line-up and was replaced by Morgan.
Wales went ahead through a ninthminute try that saw an impressive finish from Rees-Zammit, who then performed a Cristiano Ronaldo-style celebration. Halfpenny converted, but Portugal showed plenty of adventure in attack and Faletau pulled off a try-saving tackle.
It was an outstanding first-half display by Portugal and Wales just could not get going with Marques kicking a penalty three minutes before the break.
Williams then had a try disallowed after he failed to ground the ball, only for Lake to power over from close range, with Halfpenny’s conversion making it 14-3 at the interval.
Wales began the second period by losing two attacking lineouts in quick succession inside Portugal’s 22 and Gatland – on his 60th birthday – soon turned to his replacements’ bench, sending on Ryan Elias, Corey Domachowski, Tomas Francis and Adam Beard.
Wales claimed a third try after 56 minutes when Morgan crossed from close range and Halfpenny added the extras. Portugal deservedly claimed a try midway through the second half when clever lineout work produced a try for Martins. Marques’ touchline conversion hit a post and it was a warning sign to Wales that Portugal had no intention of going quietly.
Then it was all about whether or not Wales could secure a bonus point, which finally arrived from Faletau.