All Blacks to play Portugal for first time

http://www.rugbyheaven.smh.com.au/articles/2007/03/25/1174761265911.html

The All Blacks will play their first ever rugby Test against Portugal at this year's World Cup following the completion of the two-year qualifying process.

Portugal qualified as the 20th and final team to compete in France after scraping past Uruguay by one point on aggregate overnight.

Portugal lost 18-12 in Montevideo but advanced 24-23 on aggregate after their 12-5 win in Lisbon two weeks ago.

Portugal will be New Zealand's second opponents in group C, with the teams to meet in Lyon on September 15.

They will play at Stade de Gerland, scene of the All Blacks' record 47-3 defeat of France last November.
The other teams in the pool are Italy, Scotland and Romania.

Uruguay's chances of overturning their first leg deficit were hit after they were reduced to 14 men after just two minutes when lock Juan Bado was sent off.

Duarte Cardoso Pinto kicked four penalties, scoring all of Portugal's points.

Second-half tries from Ignacio Crosa and captain Rodrigo Capo were not enough for the hosts, who went 18-12 ahead in the 50th minute but could were held scoreless from there.

NZPA