Rugby-Total rugby, not total failure as Portugal lose to Australia

Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool C - Australia v Portugal - Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Etienne, France - October 1, 2023 Australia's Matt Faessler reacts after the match REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

SAINT-ETIENNE, France (Reuters) - Having reached the World Cup final in 1987 with Les Bleus, Patrice Lagisquet knows a thing or two about French flair and while his Portugal side failed to beat Australia in Pool C, they took it boldly to the Wallabies.

Portugal played ball in hand and even led 7-3 early on after Pedro Bettencourt's try, although they could not eventually keep up with the two-time world champions' physicality, losing 34-14.