The fourth week of competition ends this Sunday, October 1st. On today’s program, a meeting between Australia and Portugal and especially the long-awaited clash between Tonga and South Africa. Reigning world champions, the Springboks should – barring disaster – find the French XV in the quarter-finals. This is their last meeting in this group stage.
A new day of world Cup started. Two matches are scheduled for this Sunday, October 1. The first will oppose Australia au Portugal while South Africa will face the Tonga.
The plan of the XV of France with Dupont is revealed https://t.co/tuEv6zDUTL pic.twitter.com/Ajw3azT4VU
— le10sport (@le10sport) September 30, 2023
Australia – Portugal
Australia has one foot in the void. After bowing against the Fiji (15-22) then the Wales (6-40), the Wallabies saw their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals reduced further on Saturday evening. In fact, the Fiji painfully beat the Georgia but this success is precious and it does not concern the men ofEddie Jones. They will face an amazing team from Portugal which remains in a draw against the Georgia (18-18). « Il we will have to assume. We have let down the Australians in the stands, but also those who support us all over the world. We weren’t up to par, we assume. This is not the face we want to show. We worked a lot to create a united group. It’s easy to be united in good times, when you’re winning. But we haven’t been winning much lately. We have a resilient group, but that is not enough in tough matches like this », Confided Tate McDermott after the rout against the Welsh last week. Usually serene and provocative, Eddie Jones also suffered the blow. “ It’s a difficult time to go through and at the same time, it’s the best opportunity to learn. You have to learn to be regular and implement what you know how to do. But yes, it hurts a lot », conceded the coach of the Wallabies. While in the Portuguese ranks, morale is high after an unexpected tournament.
Patrice Lagisquetthe French coach of Portugalis surprised by the performance of his team in this world Cup. « The team has resources. We have weaknesses at times: our start to the match is not good at all and we make more mistakes in winning, in discipline, in defense… This was undoubtedly due to the emotional burden linked to the presence of families and friends In the stadium. The players were overwhelmed by emotions. We had certainly underestimated this aspect (he smiles). But we are lucky because we only concede very few points. Then, we are capable of reactions that are surprising. We seem so low and fragile that we don’t expect to put out a magnificent try as was the case in the first half. We must manage group dynamics well. Because after having played two matches where the intensity was high, some players will certainly be very tired. For qualification, it’s going to be difficult (he laughs)… So, it’s an opportunity to bring players into the competition because in the challenges of our selection, there is also the fact of preparing the future. We will discuss it with the staff in view of the next match », he confided in the columns of Olympic Midday the day after the draw against the Georgia. The Wolves are ready to roar and devour the Australian kangaroos. Kick-off scheduled for 5:45 p.m. on the pitch Geoffroy-Guichard.
The composition of Australia: 15. Kellaway ; 14. Nawaqanitawase, 13. Petaia, 12. Perese, 11. Koroibete ; 10. Donaldson, 9. Mcdermott ; 7. McReight, 8. Valetini, 6. Hooper ; 5. Arnold, 4. Frost; 3. Slipper, 2. Porecki (cap), 1. Bell.
Australian substitutes: 16. Faessler, 17. Schoupp, 18. Faamausili, 19. Leota, 20. Kemeny, 21. Fines-Leleiwasa, 22. Gordon, 23. Vunivalu.
The composition of Portugal: 15. Sousa Guedes; 14. Storti, 13. Bettencourt, 12. Appleton (cap.), 11. Marta; 10. (o)Portela, 9. (m)Marques; 8. Martins, 7. de Freitas, 6. Wallis; 5. Beautiful, 4. Wood; 3. Hasse Ferreira, 2. Tadjer, 1. Costa.
The Portuguese substitutes: 16. Fernandes, 17. Diniz, 18. Bruno, 19. Cerqueira, 20. Simões, 21. Belo, 22. Moura, 23. Pinto.
South Africa – Tonga
The second and final meeting of the day will pit South Africa to Tonga. Beaten last week by Ireland (8-13), the Springboks should finish in second place in their group and therefore face the XV of France in the quarter-finals, even if Race Erasmus refuses to project himself that far. “ The group stage is not over. Italy will face France in the final match, and they are in a position to qualify. Many people say that France is favorite for first place, but Italy can have a big day. It would be a lack of respect for others to say that we are certain of finding France. As a coach we have no preference », blurted out the sports director of the Springboks at a press conference.
Opposite, the Tonga want to bounce back. “ It’s certain that from a results point of view, it’s been rather disappointing so far, but for example I don’t think Ireland were worth 60 points more than us », regretted the Tongan coach Toutai Kefu. Kick-off scheduled for 9:00 p.m. Stade Vélodrome.
The composition of South Africa: 15. Le Roux; 14. Williams, 13. Moodie, 12. Esterhuizen, 11. Mapimpi ; 10. Pollard, 9. Reinach ; 7. Vermeulen, 8. Wiese, 6. Kolisi (cap.) ; 5. Orie, 4. Etzebeth ; 3. Koch, 2 Fourie, 1 Nche.
South African substitutes: 16. van Staden, 17. Kitshoff 18. Nyakane, 19. Mostert, 20. Smith, 21. Hendrikse, 22. Kriel, 23. Libbok.
The composition of Tonga: 15. Piutau; 14. Inch, 13. Fekitoa, 12. Ahki, 11. Tuitavuki; 10. Havili, 9. Pulu ; 7. Talitui, 8. Paea, 6. Halaifonua; 5. Lousi, 4. Fifita ; 3. Tameifuna (cap.), 2. Ngauamo, 1. Fisi’ihoi.
Tongan replacements: 16. Moli, 17. Koloamatangi, 18. Apikotoa, 19. Coleman, 20. Vailanu, 21. Takulua, 22. Pellegrini, 23. Taumoepeau.
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