France battled to a place in the final of Rugby World Cup 2011 with a 9-8 win over a brave Welsh side, who never recovered from the first-half sending-off of their inspirational captain Sam Warburton.
The 23-year-old flanker was given his marching orders after 18 minutes for a dangerous tackle on wing Vincent Clerc.
Until then his team, playing their first semi-final for 24 years, were in command, despite the earlier loss through injury of veteran prop Adam Jones, and well worth their three-point lead.
But after their skipper’s departure they were unable to halt the march of the French, who slowly built an unassailable lead through the boot of Morgan Parra.
Although a try on the hour by scrum half Mike Phillips gave Wales hope, France, playing in their fifth successive semi-final, were able to withstand a spirited fight back.
France, captain, Thierry Dusautoir said that it was a tough win for them although Wales was playing with 14 players in most parts of the game.
For Wales, stand in captain, Gethin Jenkins was disappointed with a loss knowing how close they nearly made their first final appearance in the RWC.
Meanwhile, the second semifinal tonight has been the talking point in New Zealand throughout this week.
It is the battle between the Wallabies and the All Blacks in a RWC at a venue where the Australian have not tasted success for the past 25 years.
Former, All Blacks, captain, Tana Umaga has high hopes that in Eden Park tonight, McCaw and his boys will deliver the results.
Former, Wallabies and 1991 RWC winning captain, Nick Farr Jones believes if they can matched the All Blacks in the forwards then they have a chance to be in the final.
The All Blacks and Wallabies semifinal kicks-off at 8pm and you can catch a live commentary on our sister station, Viti FM with the voice of rugby, Mala Veisamasama and Ilivasi Tabua.
Story by: Dreu Vukailagi
Feature
France battles odds to reach RWC final
