Wallabies out of Rugby World Cup as Fiji clinch second spot in Pool C

Portugal has pulled off one of the biggest shocks in Rugby World Cup history — but it wasn’t a large enough miracle to prevent the Wallabies being eliminated in stunning fashion.

Josua Tuisova of Fiji is tackled by Pedro Bettencourt of Portugal during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match at Stadium de Toulouse. Picture: Getty Images

The Wallabies have been knocked out of the Rugby World Cup in France in the cruellest way possible.

The miracle the Wallabies had hoped for came very close to happening but not close enough as they were eliminated on a countback.

To make the playoffs the Wallabies needed Portugal to beat Fiji by eight points or more.

The Portuguese had never won a game at the World Cup but managed to pull off a massive upset to beat Fiji 24-23 in Toulouse.

But unfortunately for the Wallabies, the Fijians still collected a bonus point for losing by less than seven points, which was just enough to get them into the playoffs.

The result meant Fiji finished level on points with the Wallabies behind Wales in the Group C standings — but the Pacific Islanders secured the last quarter-final berth at the expense of Australia on their head to head result.

Portugal's flanker Manuel Picao (right) celebrates with teammates after his side’s win over Fiji. Picture: AFP

Fiji are just the second team in World Cup history to make the quarter-finals after losing two pool games.

Few people gave the Wallabies any chance of making the playoffs after they lost to both Fiji and Wales in their earlier group matches but they ensured there was a tiny glimmer of hope by beating Georgia and Portugal with bonus points, but they still needed Fiji to slip up.

With a bye for the final round, the Wallabies and their head coach Eddie Jones had lost control of their own destiny so had to watch their fate decided on television from their base camp in St Etienne, unaware whether they would be packing their bags for the long haul flight back to Australia or the three-hour train trip to Marseille for next weekend’s quarter-finals.

Fiji still qualfied for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals despite the shock loss to Portugal. Picture: AFP

Fiji — who beat the Wallabies in the pool phase 22-15 when the Australia lost three key players to injuries — will now play England in the quarter-finals with the Wallabies missing the playoffs for the first time in the 10 Rugby World Cups played dating back to the inaugural event in 1987.

Only New Zealand and France have also made it through to the quarter-finals of every World Cup.

Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika had better luck with his Argentina Pumas beating Japan 39-27 overnight in a high-scoring thriller to secure their place in the quarter-finals.

Argentina will play Group C winners Wales in Marseille next weekend.

In the two other two quarter-finals, both taking place in Paris, New Zealand are up against Ireland and France will take on the defending champions South Africa.

Originally published as Wallabies out of Rugby World Cup as Fiji clinch second spot in Pool C