The final Rugby World Cup Pool C match comes from Toulouse on Sunday where Fiji need only a single log point from their clash with Portugal to advance to the quarter finals.
Fiji v Portugal, Sunday 8th October, Toulouse, KO 21:00 (South African time)
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Jaco Peyper (SARU), Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
Weather Forecast - Toulouse
Fiji:
Wales are already assured of qualifying from Pool C and if they need a single log point from their clash with Georgia on Saturday to guarantee top spot. Fiji's destiny is very much in their own hands and any point earned here sends them through and Australia will go home.
Fiji survived a scare n their Round 4 clash with Georgia. They won the game 17-12 but they had to come from 9-0 down at half time and they failed to land a bonus point which would have seen them guarantee a quarter final place.
Fiji's 22-15 victory over Australia in their second outing looks like being the killer blow when it comes to advancing from this group. They opened their campaign against Wales who hung on to claim a 32-26 victory with Fiji's late comeback from 32-14 down at one stage falling just short.
Fiji will come up against England in the quarters if they make it through and in the RWC outright betting they are 42/1 shots with BoyleSports to win the tournament and 22/10 to make it to the semi finals.
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Portugal:
This is Portugal's last chance to gain a victory from a campaign where they have gained many admirers. They were beaten 34-14 by the Wallabies last weekend and they also lost their opening match 28-8 to Wales.
Despite being 14.5 point underdogs for their second pool match against Georgia, they drew a match they really ought to have won. Raffaele Storti scored both of Portugal's tries and even after Georgia had levelled the scores at 18-18 with a late try Portugal let a chance of victory slip when missing a last gasp penalty.
Team News
Fiji: 15 Sireli Maqala, 14 Selesitino Ravutaumada, 13 Waisea Nayacalevu (captain), 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Vilimoni Botitu, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Levani Botia, 6 Meli Derenalagi, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Luke Tagi, 2 Samuel Matavesi, 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Mesake Doge, 19 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Peni Matawalu, 22 Teti Tela, 23 Iosefo Masi.
Portugal: 15 Manuel Cardoso Pinto, 14 Raffaele Storti, 13 Pedro Bettencourt, 12 José Lima (captain), 11 Rodrigo Marta, 10 Jerónimo Portela, 9 Samuel Marques, 8 Rafael Simões, 7 Nicolas Martins, 6 David Wallis, 5 Steevy Cerqueira, 4 José Madeira, 3 Diogo Hasse Ferreira, 2 Mike Tadjer, 1 Francisco Fernandes
Replacements: 16 David Costa, 17 Duarte Diniz, 18 Anthony Alves, 19 Duarte Torgal, 20 João Granate, 21 João Belo, 22 Tomás Appleton, 23 Vincent Pinto
The Betting
Fiji -20.5 points at 9/10
Portugal +21.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
This handicap has been fairly stable at around the 20 point mark.
Portugal were impressive against Australia last week whereas Fiji were disappointing in beating Georgia after drawing a blank in the 1st half.
I am expecting Fiji to come out firing in this game and I suspect that Portugal may run out of steam after an excellent World Cup.
The handicap is a bit high for me to take as I suspect Fiji will switch off when the job is done (bonus point secured) and I am rather going to back Fiji to score 18 points or more in the 1st half.
Stay close to our forum thread where I will post any additional bets and other punters share their plays
BET: 5 units Fiji over 17.5 points at 9/10 at WSB
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
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