Big, bald Rui Cordeiro was too beefy to lift aloft sunburned shoulders - but the 138-kilogram prop was mobbed outside the Stade de Gerland gates by passionate Portugese supporters.

The affable veterinarian from the university city of Coimbra might never get rich from rugby - but he should never have to buy a bottle of port again. For the rest of his days Rui will be revered as "the man who scored a try against the All Blacks".

Cordeiro shrugged his broad shoulders after the match and agreed getting across the All Black line was "a very good feeling", but "the best moment of my career is [Portugal's] presence at the World Cup".

Then the 30-year-old reserve - and what an impact player he proved - confessed the high of his try was tempered by niggling disappointment. While he had achieved one pre-match Portugese goal - to dot down against the world's top team - Os Loboshad failed in another: to stop the All Blacks' racking up 100 points.

Portugal coach Tomaz Morais is clearly a canny technician. His day-job charges were hopelessly outclassed by the highly-paid pros, yet they were well-drilled and were never out-passioned. Morais and huge-hearted skipper Vasco Uva took some consolation that "the All Blacks didn't get a record [World Cup] score".

Future rugby trainspottters will pore over old almanacs and dismiss this as a mismatch. But stark scorelines never convey the true story of a spectacle.

For, make no mistake, Portugal thrashed New Zealand - off the field. The Portugese pride was there for all to see when the players strode out into the sun, their hands on the shoulder of their irmao (brother) in front in a unique display of Latino unity.

Red-and-green clad Portugese fans - sporting shirts bearing names of players who aren't even household names in Lisbon let alone the rugby's relatively small world - were outnumbered by All Blacks camp followers. But they made their presence felt from before the first whistle to the rapturous reception they gave Cordeiro and his cobbers hours after the match.

"Oo-oo-oo-Uva", they chanted - only fitting as there were three Uvas in their line-up. And they broke up boring Mexican-wave tsunamis with catchy Portugese verses of Oh, Pretty Baby.

But they were ultimately out-done when Portugal's players blurted out the first bars of A Portuguesa - the loudest, proudest rendition of a national anthem yet at this World Cup. With all the straining of vocal chords, thumping of chests and draining of tear ducts, it was a minor surprise half the side weren't injured before kick-off.

The surge of adrenalin carried them through a feisty first quarter where only two superb solo Joe Rokocoko tries separated the sides.

Even the most ardent Portugese fans knew the sluice-gates would eventually open - and the All Blacks finally flooded through for 16 tries.

But under-dogs take solace from cameo consolations. The roof was almost raised when tiny fly-half Goncalo Malheiro snapped the tournament's first field goal. But there was a gasp of despair when stocky lock Marcello D'Orey found himself in space after an intercept but then kicked the ball into touch - and another when Chris Jack fumbled. The All Black line beckoned, but Vasco Uva lacked the soccer skills of countryman Cristiano Ronaldo and couldn't toe the ball ahead.

The near misses were forgotten in the 47th minute, though, when Cordeiro crashed over. It was the least Portugal deserved after forcing a five-metre scrum and launching raid after raid at the All Blacks line.

While Os Lobos loyalists hooted referee Chris White's call to go upstairs to the television monitoring officer, Cordeiro had no complaint. He was "sure" he had scored but said there "were many players near the ball and I think the referee couldn't have seen it".

After more re-runs than Television New Zealand's summer viewing schedule, White whistled for the try and bedlam broke out. The All Blacks may have scored 16 times but none got a rowdier response than Portugal's consolation effort.

The Portugal players somehow summoned the energy to leap in joy, punching holes in the air in delirious delight.

When Duarte Cardozo Pinto potted a penalty to reduce the deficit to a trifling 94-13, Portugal's joy was complete - they'd scored more points than the 10 totted up against Scotland in the first round.

But it was after the final whistle where rugby's special spirit was evident most. Captains Uva and Jerry Collins embraced, Jack inquired after the health of injured opposite D'Orey and the exhausted Portugese set off on a lolloping lap of the ground to salute their supporters, some blowing kisses at the crowd.

And as we streamed out the exits after Portugal's day in the sun, a happy mother clutched her young son's hand, and explained why it was such a special match despite the 108-11 defeat.

"We never thought we would ever play the All Blacks."

Fairfax Media