Rugby World Cup: Australia losing to Portugal is no longer unthinkable

So you think the Wallabies have hit rock bottom? Hold that beer, because it could get even worse, reveals JULIAN LINDEN.

LYON, FRANCE – SEPTEMBER 24: Ben Donaldson of Australia applauds the fans at full-time following the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Wales and Australia at Parc Olympique on September 24, 2023 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Think the Wallabies have hit rock bottom?

Hold that beer, because it could get even worse.

As far-fetched as this would have sounded in the glory days of Australian rugby, the Wallabies are genuinely worried they might lose to Portugal this weekend.

They really shouldn’t be, because the Europeans are considered one of the easybeats of the World Cup, but after Australia’s humiliating defeat to Wales last weekend – nothing can be ruled out.

The shell-shocked players have returned to the training paddock and are doing everything within their powers to try and refocus on their final pool match in central France this weekend.

But it’s easier said than done because they remain in a collective state of shock and disbelief, still trying to heal the deep and raw emotional scars they have been left with.

“It is incredibly depressing,” fullback Andrew Kellaway said.

“In terms of the loss, how did I deal with it? Probably not that well. Gutted, right?

“It’s the pinnacle of our game and we weren’t able to perform and we let a lot of people down.”

Ben Donaldson says the Wallabies took the loss to Wales hard. Picture: Getty Images

Five-eighth Ben Donaldson said the players were taking the loss very hard because they felt they had let the entire country down.

“There was a lot of emotion, a lot of boys shedding a tear because we were gutted,” he said.

“Losing at that scoreline in a World Cup, it‘s obviously very devastating but that’s just going to drive us to work harder and be better.”

Assistant coach Dan Palmer said everyone in the squad was trying to pick themselves up for the clash with Portugal, knowing another slip-up would be disastrous.

The one shining beacon the Wallabies are looking at is that they are not officially out of the tournament just yet, though they are perilously close after back to back losses against Fiji and Wales.

Australia’s only chance of making the quarterfinals is if they beat Portugal and score at least four tries to earn a bonus point – then Fiji lose one of their two remaining matches against Georgia and Portugal.

They need more things to go their way than when speed skater Steven Bradbury won Australia’s first Winter Olympics gold medal in 2002 but Palmer said the Wallabies weren’t giving up hope.

“We’ve still got a pulse in this competition,” he said. “So getting up for this next game is not difficult.”

Thibault de Freitas of Portugal applauds the fans after managing a draw against Georgia. Picture: Getty Images

Back to training at their base camp near St Etienne, the Wallabies went through their high-paced drills like they always have, with Aussie rock classics being blasted from the loud speakers and head coach Eddie Jones barking orders.

Only Will Skelton, the captain, and tighthead prop Taniela Tupou, are unavailable for the clash with Portugal, both because of injuries suffered at practice.

Palmer said there was no consideration to resting any of the first-choice players to give any of the younger squad members a run.

“We’re selecting and preparing to win this game,” he said.

“We need five points from this game and that’s how we’re preparing for it.”

Despite all the problems, the Wallabies will still start as heavy favourites to beat Portugal, who are appearing at the World Cup for just the second time.

The Europeans have never won a match at the sport’s showpiece event but did salvage a draw against Georgia last weekend and will fancy their chances of springing a massive upset after seeing how badly Australia played against Wales.

“Portugal will have watched that and they‘ll be licking their lips and they’ll be coming right after us” Kellaway said.

“If we spend too much time dwelling on that and spending time in that shock and awe kind of phase, we‘ll miss the jump and we’ll be chasing our arse.”