2023-10-06 18:55:11
The Portuguese rugby team will face the Fiji Islands in Toulouse, in French territory, this Sunday, October 8th, in a game counting for Group C of the World Cup.
The Portuguese team currently occupies last place in Group C with two pointsthis after two defeats by 28-8 against Wales and by 34-14 against Australia, without forgetting the historic draw, 18-18, against Georgia.
Os ‘Lobos‘ still have a game to go, next Sunday, October 8th, in Toulouse, in which they will face forces with the Fiji Islands.
Group C was a complicated group for Portugal, which was the last team to qualify for the competition, however, it only conceded 80 points, which is little when compared to other teams. like Romania which suffered 242 points, or Namibia with 255, or even Chile with 215.
Os ‘Lobos‘ compete with so-called stronger opponents, in a group in which all teams, except Portugal, are part of the world’s top-11with the Portuguese being 16th in this ranking.
Portugal, already eliminated, ends its participation in the competition against Fijia team that occupies third place with ten points, one behind Australia, however the Fijians have a game in hand.
The Portuguese, in case of victory, could prevent the Fijians from moving forward. However, Fiji has three possible outcomes for stamping the passport for rooms.victory, draw or even defeat with the defensive bonus point, this would mean losing by seven points or less.
The match will take place in Toulousein the South of France, where Portugal drew against Georgia, stadium of good memories for the ‘Lobos’.
Remember that on Sunday, October 1st, Portugal lost 34-14 against Australia, in Saint-Étiennein what was the third meeting for the Portuguese, and the fourth and last for the Australians.
Raffaele Storti (right), Portuguese international, scored two tries against Georgia. © AFP – CHARLY TRIBALLEAU
For Raffaele Storti, a Portuguese international, in an interview with RFI, it is necessary to highlight the positive points of the match against Australia and of this tournament in which Portugal proved to be competitive.
RFI: What analysis can we make of the ‘short’ defeat against the Australians?
Raffaele Storti: It was a very, very tough game. They were very intense. I felt good, I took a few hits. I ended up leaving with a bang. Afterwards, as a collective, we did well. In the first half, unfortunately, we only managed to convert one of our chances, but we showed that we were able to impose our rugby even against the best rugby nations. I think it’s also about looking at the positive points. We can’t always be upside down and only think about the negative points. Nobody expected us to win, so we didn’t achieve it this time, but at least we managed to show our game and we are here to compete against all the teams.
RFI: Did Pedro Bettencourt’s yellow card make a difference? They conceded 21 points in those 10 minutes…
Raffaele Storti: I don’t think that was it. Of course, having one less player on the field makes things difficult, but we don’t blame Pedro. They also had two yellow cards, they were 13 behind, and we couldn’t take advantage. It’s up to the team to adapt. We suffered at that moment, Australia took advantage of that moment at 14, but that wasn’t what dictated our defeat.
RFI: Portugal didn’t suffer heavy defeats like other nations, was that important?
Raffaele Storti: A defeat is always a defeat. But yes, I think we surprised all rugby fans, showing that we are competing, fighting, against all the teams we face. We did well and we have to be proud of the game we played, and also of the two previous ones. Now we have a complicated game against Fiji.
RFI: Trials have been scheduled, Portugal has been playing well, is it a dream World Cup already?
Raffaele Storti: The dream World Cup would be to achieve victory, that is the main objective. The rehearsals are a bonus, of course I’m happy, but it’s not the main thing. For me, the dream World Cup will come true with a triumph.
RFI: Is it possible to beat Fiji?
Raffaele Storti: Of course it’s possible, if it weren’t, it wouldn’t be worth playing. Fijians are as physical or more physical than Australians. They are very intense. They play perhaps a more disorganized game, but in the disorganization they manage to create a lot of spaces and do things that many teams are unable to do. We will analyze Fiji in detail, and we will try to play the best game possible.
Raffaele Storti, Portuguese international 02-10-2023
Raffaele Storti, Portuguese national team player. © AFP – CHARLY TRIBALLEAU
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