Warren Gatland will celebrate his 60th birthday on Sunday, but he will certainly do so with a few more gray hairs after his Wales side were given real cause for concern by Portugal.
In the end, a second-string Wales team, making thirteen changes from their opening win over Fiji, did enough to come out on top on the Cote d’Azur and with a much-needed bonus point too.
But it was far from easy.
Louis Rees-Zammit’s try and Cristiano Ronaldo-style celebration was an early highlight for Gatland and Taulupe Faletau’s try on the final play could prove crucial.
A lack of cohesion from Wales may not have been a surprise given head coach Gatland’s heavy rotation, but the number of mistakes and inability to dominate was.
Wales stormed to a 28-8 victory over Portugal in their second Rugby World Cup group match
Wales No. 8 Taulupe Faletau came over to seal a bonus point with the final play of the match
The much-changed Wales team was put to the test against Portugal but came out on top
To their credit, Portugal was excellent. This was only the second time the two sides met. On the previous occasion, Wales won 102-11 in 1994.
Their class of 2023 was nowhere near such an elaborate spectacle, but at the World Cups winning is everything and Gatland will be pleased that his team are now two from two with a perfect record of 10 points. Australia is next in Lyon.
Tommy Reffell withdrew just before kick-off.
Jac Morgan came straight to Wales to start and delivered a signature big hit almost immediately. Morgan was named player of the match.
Gatland’s patience would have been tested by an open first quarter.
It was probably too open for people of Welsh persuasion. They should have gone after. When Wales were penalized for offside, Samuel Marques had an easy kick on goal.
The Portuguese scrum-half botched his three-point effort.
Then came Rees-Zammit. Wales’ intention to play was clear and a Portugal turnover left Morgan in midfield and found Rees-Zammit who kicked forward as he gained possession.
It was smart play from the flying wing who knew he would be tackled immediately if he held the ball. With space in front of him it was no surprise that Rees-Zammit scored.
Wales boss Warren Gatland will be pleased with his side’s performance on Saturday
Louis Rees-Zammit celebrated his opening try with a Cristiano Ronaldo-style celebration
The avid Manchester United fan’s Ronaldo celebration appeared to anger Portuguese spectators, who may have rebelled against Rees-Zammit trying to emulate their country’s most famous sportsman. Leigh Halfpenny converted.
Portugal was determined not to die in wonder.
They were offloading for fun and the end-to-end nature of the game – fueled by Wales’ inability to hold on to the ball – pleased them to the core. They had fun with a chip and a chase.
Portuguese flanker Nicolas Martins was excellent and only a brilliant try-saving tackle from Faletau stopped him from reaching the line.
Morgan won a break penalty and Christ Tshiunza made a clean line break. Mason Grady wore it with purpose. Halfpenny claimed an up and under.
But in between, Portugal had more than its moments. They caused concern in the Wales defense, with center Johnny Williams panicking and playing the ball up the ground.
The center rightly got yellow. Only brilliant defensive work from Halfpenny kept Portugal out.
Wales knew they were in a competition. Their demolition work was not efficient enough.
When Rio Dyer tried to run the ball back, he was cut in half by the Portuguese defense.
The Wolves were great in the first half. Jeronimo Portela’s drop goal attempt went wide, but Marques’ penalty put them on the board.
Wales captain Dewi Lake (above) crashed for the second try in the first half
Grady’s pass into direct contact caused Wales’ frustration, but in due course co-captain Dewi Lake took control. The hooker tapped a penalty and ran away, then crashed after Williams was judged to be too short of the line. Halfpenny’s kick made it 14-3.
Two lineout throws to Lake in the Portugal 22 went wrong early in the second half. Wales cannot afford to make these kinds of mistakes if they want to beat the best teams in this World Cup.
They did win a scrum to the head, but then Gareth Anscombe kicked the ball away.
When Wales were penalized for crossing, they were again fortunate that Marques could not reduce their lead.
Gatland had seen enough and made four attackers. He knew Wales could get some joy in the tight situation as long as they kept hold of the ball. So it turned out.
Morgan, who had taken over the captaincy and Lake had been replaced, crashed. Halfpenny added his third conversion.
Portugal refused to leave. As hooker Mike Tadjer looked into the stands as he prepared a crucial lineout throw, it seemed he could hardly believe the support for his team.
Tadjer’s play in the set-piece was fantastic, with Portugal’s lineout completely misleading Wales, allowing Martins to score unopposed. Marques’ missed kicks hurt his team.
Flanker Jac Morgan, a late addition for the injured Tommy Reffell, scored the third try
Wales’ lineout was poor in comparison, even with Ryan Elias for Lake. Gatland continued to unload his bench, while fly-half Anscombe was replaced by Sam Costelow.
Gareth Davies thought he had caught Wales in fourth after being set up by Rees-Zammit, but the try was disallowed for blocking – something that has repeatedly been a problem for Gatland’s side.
Portugal lost wing Vincent Pinto to a late red card, but even with a man advantage it looked like Wales would not get a crucial bonus point.
That was until Faletau stood up to be counted with a crucial effort that Costelow improved on to ensure Gatland could celebrate his birthday with a win.