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Subscribe to RSS FeedPortugal beat the All Blacks
Portugal flanker Tiago Girao gives New Zealand some trouble
Not many people will know that Portugal in fact did manage to beat New Zealand on Saturday, but only in an impromptu soccer match between the sides after the rugby was done and dusted.
Byron Kelleher, Richie McCaw and Dan Carter had all been rested for the Pool C clash, but were among those who challenged the Portuguese to a game of soccer after the final whistle had blown at Stade Gerland.
Despite Carter starting up front, with McCaw in midfield and Kelleher in the back four it was Portugal who emerged 2-1 victors, a result which will go some way to avenging the 108-13 score in the rugby.
It is not unusual for reserves and non-playing members of the squad to take part in fitness after a game. So throw in a football, and there was a great recipe for a light-hearted moment that just shows how powerful sport can be.
Portugal swarmed all over the All Blacks and dominated for the most, with Pedro Cabral showing some fancy footwork, and McCaw, for once, was left in his tracks by the skilful Portuguese. The All Blacks did have one secret weapon however, Sitiveni Sivivatu, although he could not do enough to save the game!
