France profit from moment of madness

France profit from moment of madness

15 Oct 2011

JON CARDINELLI writes that a reckless Welsh tackle proved to be the catalyst for an unlikely 9-8 World Cup semi-final win for France.

Up until the 18th minute of Saturday’s play-off at Eden Park, Sam Warburton had been one of the standouts for Wales and indeed one of the stars of the 2011 tournament. Sadly, the young Wales captain will not be remembered for his impressive displays against South Africa in the pool stages and Ireland in the quarter-final, but rather for one brainless tackle that would jettison the Dragons from the global tournament.

Wales were in firm control for much of the first quarter. While their scrum struggled against a lighter but technically superior French eight, they enjoyed the majority of possession and territory, and went to a 3-0 lead in the eighth minute thanks to the boot of James Hook.

France took a pounding at the collisions. Dimitri Yachvili floated a pass to Vincent Clerc well behind the gain line, and this proved to be the game-changing moment, as Warburton, in his enthusiasm to make the hit and possibly force the turnover, lifted Clerc beyond the horizontal and then let the winger fall to ground. Referee Alain Rolland brandished the mandatory red card, and as good as Wales had looked, they were always going to struggle to hang on for 62 minutes with only 14 men.

France used the numerical advantage to good effect at scrum time, but were woefully bad in general play. Morgan Parra had kicked them to a 6-3 lead by half-time, but it was the short-handed Wales that continued to control possession and territory. The French backs battled to field the high balls launched by the Wales halfbacks, and when they did, they often made some shocking decisions which allowed Wales to regain the pill.

It was here where Wales needed to make the best of a bad situation. Hook had done brilliantly to slot his first penalty attempt from the touchline, but proceeded to fluff two subsequent shots from midfield, as well as a drop-goal attempt. France were far too loose towards the end of the first stanza and may have scored more points had they kept it close, but Wales may also have gone to the break in the lead if they had kicked their goals.

Parra bisected the uprights in the 49th minute, but the plucky Welsh refused to lie down. They continued to pressure the French back three, and the tactical substitution of Stephen Jones had the desired effect as they played smarter and tighter. While they had wasted opportunities in the first 40, they took the first chance available to them when Mike Phillips breezed through the French defence for an important try. Tellingly, Jones missed the ensuing conversion to allow France to maintain a slender 9-8 lead.

At times the Tricolores looked like the team with the one-man disadvantage. They were guilty of being too casual in some instances, and too frantic in others. It’s the type of performance many would have expected after their strong showing against England, as they have a reputation for inconsistency. They battled to put a 14-man Wales side away, and in the end, they were the side that held on for the win.

It was always going to be too much to ask of a Wales side one man short. It would have been remembered as one of the great victories had they finished a multiphase attack at the death, but unfortunately it will go down in history as a game they lost in the 18th minute when their captain received his marching orders. Three missed penalty-attempts (Leigh Halfpenny didn’t have the distance with a 50m shot in the 76th minute) and a missed conversion, also cost them dearly.

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624 Comments

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  • 1.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 08:57 am

    The enemy of my enemy is my Dragon

  • 2.stand-off: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 09:17 am

    Wales vs Aus final

  • 3.RL: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 09:40 am

    I want the Frogs to win … kiwi chokers of note.

    And if they make it to the final and face the chokers, then they will force the islanders to play in the colours of Fiji … that’s right world cup rules favour them.

  • 4.ET.: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 09:52 am

    Whilst a Wales win will give them a deserved final, and good for their and world rugby I cannot see it happening.

    France have been for me a wily proposiition and deliberately giving the impression of being hopeless. This semi-final will see them continue to show the impressive form shown against England and I take them to win this one.

    Wales have their lack of experience as a negative and the wet weather may favour the French team more so than Wales.

    I will not be disappointed if Wales do, however, win. A good hard game is expected here.

  • 5.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 09:55 am

    @ET.(ExtraThuvi.)-4: Ag, what the hell do you know…

    Nevertheless

    Marchons,
    Marchons…

  • 6.I am a stormer: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 09:56 am

    Go the boyos.

    NZ vs Wales final.

  • 7.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 09:57 am

    Fire that Gatland gun.

  • 8.captain fantail: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 09:58 am

    Depending on whether Jekyll or Hyde turn up for the French will determine alot, but have to back Wales this one.

  • 9.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 09:58 am

    Lol apparently the Millenium stadium is packed to the rafters!

  • 10.captain fantail: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 09:59 am

    @RL(RL)-3: S’pose you have to adopt a team now ;-)

  • 11.ET.: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 09:59 am

    5:

    Whatever word you prefer it is still your nourishment and giver of life.

    Enjoy the warmth and humidity and food of its central position you occupy.

  • 12.RL: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:01 am

    @captain fantail(captain fantail)-10: go Fiji :wink:

  • 13.David: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:01 am

    The Welsh anthem always gives me goosepimples. C’mon the Dragons!

  • 14.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:02 am

    @Heavens Game(Heavens Game)-5:

    Of course you know the ‘sleeping dogs and lying’ adage eh!

  • 15.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:03 am

    Much eye-candy on display for me.

  • 16.Cane 73: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:03 am

    Let’s hope the dragons dine on frogs!

  • 17.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:03 am

    Is ‘tonights the night’ the only track the NZRU could afford this RWC?

  • 18.Cane 73: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:08 am

    @bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-17: Probably hoping to ‘tie me kangaroo down sport’ tomorrow. Note I say hoping.

  • 19.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:08 am

    Both teams already teaching the Bok’s how to counter-ruck and clean-out at the tackle-zone…

  • 20.kaballas: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:09 am

    anyone with a link for live streaming for this game? please!! ASAP!

  • 21.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:09 am

    @bryce_in_oz(bryce_in_oz)-14: Hehe

  • 22.ET.: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:10 am

    Another ref error. Wales infringed before the off-side.

  • 23.Thucydides: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:10 am

    @kaballas(kaballas)-20:

    http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/10208/1/wales-vs-france.html

  • 24.ET.: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:11 am

    @kaballas(kaballas)-20:

    http://www.vipbox.tv

  • 25.RL: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:12 am

    @Dawn(Dawn)-15: perv.

  • 26.kaballas: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:12 am

    @Thucydides(Thucydides)-23: Thanx man! Go Wales!

  • 27.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:13 am

    So, the Care Bear has been done in already… Round 1 to French front row.

  • 28.ET.: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:13 am

    @kaballas(kaballas)-20:

    http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/10208/1/wales-vs-france.html

    Simply click

  • 29.captain fantail: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:17 am

    looks like french haven’t taken their anti depressants today!!

  • 30.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:18 am

    Dusautoir just moered Roberts. Interesting.

  • 31.carol: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:19 am

    Just hoping that France gently fall apart here…..

  • 32.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:21 am

    Send him off

  • 33.David: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:22 am

    Oh, sh*t.

  • 34.carol: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:23 am

    Who is captain now?

  • 35.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:23 am

    Red card for Warburton. Now that is harsh, even though I support France.

    WTF is wrong with these REFS.!!!!!!

  • 36.ET.: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:23 am

    Tough but fair call.

  • 37.RL: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:23 am

    Game over Wales.

  • 38.Cane 73: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:23 am

    Well that’s this game poked.

  • 39.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:23 am

    Go Froggiessssssssssss !!!!!!!!

  • 40.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:24 am

    Captain Warburton red carded for spear tackle — Wales must be doomed now. France into the final!

  • 41.ashampoopaloo: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:25 am

    Thats the game.. Wales would have smacked France right off the park but now Warburton just handed France a clear passage to the final

    Such is life.. Wales were gonna cream France now France got a green light into the final

    What a fckup

  • 42.captain fantail: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:25 am

    well thats it for the Welsh FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFf

  • 43.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:25 am

    Looks like Paddy O Brien would prefer ABs to face France in the final.

  • 44.bananaboy: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:26 am

    whats wrong with these commentators. Thats a definite red card. The rules say that if you let go of the man having lifted his legs above his shoulders you have to put him down and not release him – the penalty for not doing so is a red card. Them are the rules

  • 45.carol: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:26 am

    @Treehugger(Treehugger)-39:

    Is that the ‘Scandinavian’ coming out in you, you mainland European chick? Pahhhhh…Heheheheh

  • 46.JEZ: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:26 am

    FFS a world cup semi screwed by a half french ref! Yellow was enough with the incumbent ban. Ridiculous!

  • 47.bananaboy: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:26 am

    @bananaboy(bananaboy)-44: should hav read if you let go and do not put him down

  • 48.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:27 am

    @bananaboy(bananaboy)-44: Red Card is harsh. Yellow, definitely. Fark these REFS.

  • 49.bananaboy: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:27 am

    @JEZ(DEE DAH)-46: Its a red card offence because he let go of the man.

  • 50.Kiefpant: Reply to this comment
    15 Oct 2011, 10:27 am

    What is is with these ******* refs? None of them are accountable and the untouchable men of rugby have turned this tournament into a farce.

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