Australia smothered a ferocious comeback by Portugal to win their gripping first matchup 34-14 in the Rugby World Cup today. 

The bonus-point victory kept alive the Wallabies’ faint quarter-final hopes. 

Their final Pool C match moved them into second place and the second quarterfinal spot, and they will have to stay in France for another week without another game guaranteed to wait to see if Fiji overtakes them. 

Fiji is one point behind, and needs to take only one point against Portugal next Monday in Toulouse to advance and send Australia home. 

Portugal couldn’t put Australia out of their misery but they warmed the hearts in a packed Stade Geoffroy-Guichard with their daring and style. 

Os Lobos scored two tries and had two others ruled out. But, crucially, when Australia was reduced to 14 and 13 men after an hour, the Portuguese couldn’t finish numerous chances. 

The Wallabies’ scramble defence stopped a lineout maul and forced two knock-ons. Portugal finally earned a converted try from replacement No. 8 Rafael Simoes with 10 minutes to go but the effort exhausted them. 

Australia showed their experience and clinical edge when Samu Kerevi came out of the sin-bin and his surge up the middle was finished by the enigmatic Marika Koroibete. Australia’s fifth try capped the scoring.