Portugal fan's beer-per-point vow catches him out

Ricardo Lopes was feeling a little a bit under the weather yesterday after watching his Portuguese team play the game of their lives against the All Blacks.

The Whangarei electrician had vowed to drink a beer for every point that his team scored during yesterday morning's match. Portugal scored 13 points to the All Blacks' 108 and Mr Lopes stayed true to his word.

He was still recovering yesterday morning from drinking the 13 beers in reasonably quick succession.

"I was predicting around 140 and I was predicting Portugal would make five points."

He said the result was better than he could have ever hoped for and believed the Portugal team would have partied hard after the strong performance.

And as for Portugal's try? "Oh Jesus it was very emotional. I think the strategy was good and they got it." Mr Lopes now thinks Portugal has a chance against Italy and Romania.

Mike Mendez watched the game at his home in Kaitaia and was equally impressed with how his country performed.

He said his team played with passion but ultimately the team was no match for the All Blacks.

"It's a different level between the teams," Mr Mendez said. "They knew that it would have been impossible to beat the All Blacks but they had the privilege to play against them."

He was confident they could knock over Romania and also had a chance at beating Italy who were thrashed by the All Blacks.

"I think that we won't be the last team of the group."

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE