Wales lament Warburton red
15 Oct 2011
Wales have questioned the judgement of referee Alain Rolland in sending off captain Sam Warburton and pointed to it as the decisive action in the Test.
Wales were the better team throughout the Eden Park clash despite being reduced to 14 men as a result of Warburton’s 1th minute red card for what was adjudged to be a spear tackle.
However, coach Warren Gatland was still heavily critical of the decision. ‘It surprised me how quickly the referee made that decision. You’d think that an experienced referee would have consulted his touch judges first. I don’t dispute that he lifted the player, which deserved a yellow card, but he didn’t drive him into the ground,’ Gatland said.
‘We feel like our destiny of winning a World Cup semi-final was taken away by that decision. But I’m proud of how the guys responded in a situation where France should have been comfortable. To get that close was a massive effort.’
Warburton said he never intended to lift winger Vincent Clerc, explaining that his momentum and weight advantage combined to make for a punishing hit. ‘It wasn’t malicious. One minute I was getting up off the ground, the next I was in the stands. I’m gutted.’
Wales had plenty of possession in the closing stages and looked to be setting up a drop goal. Strangely veteran flyhalf Stephen Jones never looked prepared to risk one, consistently calling for the ball to be retained in the forwards. Gatland was non-committal when probed on this issue.
‘We didn’t really ever put ourselves in a good enough shape to do what we wanted to in that situation,’ he said. ‘We had to get more momentum at the gainline, which didn’t come.’
France coach Marc Lièvremont was typically animated despite another mediocre performance from his charges. ‘I don’t care about whether we were good or not. All that matters is that we are in a World Cup final in New Zealand,’ he said.
‘Strangely the numbers advantage seemed to affect us badly. We were expected to win from that position, but the players never controlled the ball like they should have. We made a lot of knock ons and poor decisions. But again, we’re in the final and have a chance to make things right before then.’
Lièvremont said he hoped to face the All Blacks in the final. ‘I’ve always been a lover of the All Blacks and to play against them in the final would be a dream come true. Our history against them at this tournament doesn’t matter, we’ve never beaten them in a final. I’d love to face them.’
By Ryan Vrede, at Eden Park.
162 Comments
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16 Oct 2011, 01:02 am
@umfolozi(umfolozi)-148: cheers, dont worry, Im sure all sporting fans everywhere like to find reasons other than admit their team wasnt good enough on the day
@nama1(nama1)-149: yeah youre right, but the ABs will look at their Eden park victory and the second half at Brissy to understand where and how they can win this game today…
16 Oct 2011, 01:10 am
@malcolm(malcolm)-143:
To complete my responxe:
How “least deserving” can you be if you did not even qualify for a tournament after playing all the qualifying rounds, then only got invited because of other stuff only to then go on and win the tournament?
You should’ve been at home watching the games on TV?
At least France had a chance from the get go. Their poor performances, during the tournamen,t notwithstanding. As I said, that is just the nature of a knock out tournament.
16 Oct 2011, 01:18 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-151:
They’ll have to because I think we’ll see a different Aus team than the one we saw last week against the Boks.
A question. Last week it was evident that both teams played a kind of rugby not usually associated with them. A tactic that is more associated with Bok rugby where you try and play without the ball and pound on the mistakes of your opponent.
France did the same against Wales today. You only have to look at the possession and tackle stats to determune that fact.
How do you think the AB’s will approach the game tomorrow?
16 Oct 2011, 01:27 am
@poppa69(poppa69)-151: good luck to the ABs for today’s game, hope your guys can go all the way
16 Oct 2011, 01:35 am
Fantasticbarns. cheers.
Nama. I think the ABs will attack the fringes, targeting QC all day even if he drops back to FB. Do think it will be a ball in hand approach rather than territorial. loss of Beale may induce more Garry Owens from the ABs though.
16 Oct 2011, 01:36 am
Nama. I also think last weeks game may hinder the wallabies through the effort exerted, well hoping may be a better word.
16 Oct 2011, 03:34 am
@nama1(nama1)-152: That happens in sport all the time. In tennis or golf if a player withdraws he/she is replaced by someone else. If that someone else actually goes on to win that is incredible not undeserving.
16 Oct 2011, 06:30 am
Well NZ, wee Paddy o’ b’s got you this far. Now you have to play some rugby. Good luck.
16 Oct 2011, 08:12 am
I said prefer last night’s game that I prefer to meet France and not just because it is an easier game.
I think the statement from Marc Lièvremont about wanting to play us sums up why.
16 Oct 2011, 08:14 am
@husky(husky)-158:
What a sore loser. You are a joke. Enjoy the final.
16 Oct 2011, 08:36 am
@husky(husky)-158:
stick your good lucks up ya sore loser a$$.
16 Oct 2011, 08:49 am
You have to admit – POB did all your dirty work for you, didn’t he?
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