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Portugal receive legendary welcome from packed airport after historic win
Fresh from their first ever World Cup win against Fiji on Sunday, the Portugal squad received a hero’s welcome this week when they returned to Lisbon.
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A packed airport went wild as the team emerged from the arrivals gate, where they proceeded to take selfies and sign autographs. The epic last gasp 24-23 victory over Fiji in Toulouse was special for Os Lobos, but this has only added to it.
It was the welcome the team deserved after a World Cup where they finished fourth in Pool C having also drawn with Georgia, inspiring many in the process with the brand of rugby they played.
Take a look at the scenes:
A hero’s welcome for Portugal Rugby in Lisbon 🇵🇹#RWC2023 | #FIJvPOR | @PortugalRugby pic.twitter.com/C1iEUn3Fhl
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 11, 2023
The moment Portugal Rugby arrived in Lisbon after their historic Rugby World Cup win against Fiji 🙌#RWC2023 | #FIJvPOR | @PortugalRugby pic.twitter.com/USu0Q2eqMm
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 11, 2023
Following the win over Fiji, captain José Lima said: “It has been four year of work and for the past year we worked a lot.
“We tried to come back and we scored at the very end today. We could feel that this match was different from the other games we played. It was hard work.
“When we saw all the Portuguese fans behind us it sent shivers down us. This date will go down in history and it is fantastic when you do something that stays for ever. We can say that we did it.”
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Departing coach Portugal Patrice Lagisquet looked ahead to the future after the historic win. He said: “In four matches they were able to make some progress. They were lacking in the first two. Against Australia they were about to do something pretty good, but today’s match was more accomplished. What is important is the evolution of the team match after match. They play a fast game that is interesting to watch.
“Even though there are key players who might be retiring – Mike, Chico [prop Francisco Fernandes], although he wants to play his 50th match – in the front-row there are great prospects who are already showing good qualities in terms of playing at that high level. It will be tough to replace Sam [Samuel Marques] at this point.
“There is an Under-18 generation that is pretty good, just like what is happening in Fiji. There are a lot people who are really invested in these championships.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
5 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
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