2023-09-18 16:21:02
The Rugby World Cup takes place in France until October 28th with the presence of a single Portuguese-speaking team: Portugal.
The Portuguese team’s debut did not go as well as possible as they lost 28-8however Portugal showed that it has the capacity to rival a team like Wales, tenth nation in the world rankings, fifth best European team and fourth in the last world championship in 2019 which took place in Japan.
In Nice, the ‘Lobos‘, the Portuguese team’s nickname, started with a bang and almost surprised the Welsh, but Wales managed to take advantage of every opportunity to score points. At half-time the British team led 14-3with the first three Portuguese points being scored by Samuel Marques.
During the second part, the ‘Lobos‘ continued to be generous in their efforts and managed to score a try scored by Nicolas Martins.
Portugal ended up with eight points scored, losing 28-8 against the Welshnarrowly missing the defensive bonus point, which is offered to the team that loses by seven points or less.
It should be noted that until the 80th minute, Portugal only lost by 13 points and even had the opportunity to reduce the score. However, this ended up not happening and the Welsh scored a fourth try, which allowed Wales to reach a bonus point, the so-called offensive point for teams that score at least four tries.
José Lima (center), Portuguese international. © AFP – CHRISTOPHE SIMON
At the end of the meeting, In an exclusive interview with RFI, José Lima, one of the captains of the Portuguese team, was somewhat frustrated with the final result, but stated that Portugal will continue to fight to achieve a triumph in this World Cup.
José Lima, Portuguese international 18-09-2023
Equally In an exclusive interview with RFI, Nuno Sousa Guedes, Portuguese international, admitted that the small mistakes made the difference, but he believes that Portugal will achieve their first triumph in the World Cup.
Nuno Sousa Guedes, Portuguese international 18-09-2023
This is Portugal’s second participation in the Rugby World Cup after 2007.interestingly a tournament that had already taken place on French territory.
In 2007, the Portuguese team lost all four games with particular emphasis on the heavy defeat against New Zealand by 108-13 and also on the positive side for the defensive point achieved in the 14-10 defeat against Romania.
For now in Group C, Wales leads with ten points from two games, ahead of Fiji who defeated Australia 22-15, however the Australians have the same number of points as the Fijians, six. In the last two places are Georgia and Portugal without any points.
On the next journey, On September 23rd, the Portuguese will face the Georgians in Toulousein the South of France.
Nuno Sousa Guedes (left), Portuguese international. © AFP – CHRISTOPHE SIMON
We move on to the other groups in this World Cup,
France, which has never won the World Cup, is part of a complicated group, Group A: with New Zealand, winner of the tournament in 1987, in 2011 and in 2015, Italy, Uruguay and Namibia.
France currently leads with eight points, after the 27-13 victories against New Zealand and 27-12 against Uruguay. Italy and New Zealand remain in second place with five points. It should be noted that last weekend, the New Zealanders beat Namibia 71-3, the second team on the African continent, which is in last place, together with Uruguay, without any points.
No Group BSouth Africa, which became World Champion three times in 1995, 2007 and 2019, faces Ireland, Scotland, the Tonga Islands and Romania as opponents.
Ireland currently leads with ten points, ahead of South Africa with nine points. An unprecedented dominance given that Scotland, the Tonga Islands and Romania have yet to score. It should be noted that Romania suffered two heavy defeats, 82-8 against Ireland and 76-0 against Romania.
No Group DEngland, who won the trophy in 2003, have Japan, Argentina, Chile and the Samoa Islands as opponents.
England currently leads with nine points, ahead of Japan and the Samoa Islands with five points. Argentina and Chile have not yet scored. It should be noted that the English beat the Argentines 27-10 and the Japanese 34-12, perhaps the most difficult opponents in this group.
This brings us to the end of this Magazine Desporto.
Rafael Simões (center), Portuguese international. © AFP – NICOLAS TUCAT
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