Wales have been knocked out of the rugby world cup after losing to France 9-8 in the first semi-final.
The match though will be remembered more for a dreadful refereeing decision by match official Alain Rolland who sent off Welsh captain James Warburton in the first half for a dangerous tackle.
Wales have been knocked out of the rugby world cup after losing to France 9-8 in the first semi-final.
The match though will be remembered more for a dreadful refereeing decision by match official Alain Rolland who sent off Welsh captain James Warburton in the first half for a dangerous tackle.
Wales started the better and an early penalty gave them a three point lead, they were looking the more impressive team until a tackle by captain Warburton, who flipped his French opponent, was deemed a red card offence.
In truth the tackle was no more than a yellow, the player did indeed flip the Frenchman but crucially did not attempt to drive him into the ground.
The decision though left Wales with only fourteen men for the remaining hour, and the French were then sparked into life.
Wales went into the half time break 6-3 down and another penalty early in the second half saw the French extend the lead to six.
However that was cut to 1 on the 58 minute mark with a magnificent try by Wales as Michael Philips ran through a gap in the French defence, the conversion though was missed by Steven Jones. Wales resumed the match with zeal and had the French immediately under pressure.
A drop goal attempt never looked like going over as Wales desperately sought the score that would have given them the lead.
The last ten minutes saw the Welsh play as though they were the team that had the man advantage and a penalty five minutes from time fell agonisingly short as probably man of the match Lee Halfpenny couldn’t muster enough from halfway.
The final score of France 9 Wales 8 owes more to the woeful refereeing decision than anything the French displayed. It sees the better of the two teams miss out on a world cup final place.
Wales can now look forward to a consolation third place play-off against the losers of the second semi-final between New Zealand and Austraila.
