Wales vs France
World Cup
20th 5, 8:15 am Sunday
The late try of ross Moriarty guaranteed Wales saw France 20-19 to book a Rugby World Cup semi-final set at a fervent Oita Stadium on Sunday.
Les Bleus were made to play over 30 minutes with 14 men following row Sebastien Vahaamahina was red carded into the surface of Aaron Wainwright at a maul nine minutes.
Within an utterly dominant screen, tries from flanker Charles Ollivon Vahaamahina and center Virimi Vakatawa had set France in hands but they led at half-time by nine points, Aaron Wainwright’s try keeping Wales in contact .
Les Bleus wouldn’t score again and finally couldn’t keep outside a mostly sub-par Wales – Moriarty diving to floor the ball with six minutes remaining.
Though France’s start was sluggish – Gregory Alldritt dropping the kick-off – they were over after hooker Guilhem Guirado had been stopped after a driving maul at the next minute when Vahaamahina scored out of a driveway and settled.
Three minutes later that he was lining up yet a different, although romain Ntamack hit the pole with the transformation. A sumptuous France transfer in midfield saw Vakatawa step past Josh Navidi and offload out of a Gareth Davies tackle. Antoine Dupont was discovered by him until the scrum-half did likewise to creep to the line.
Four minutes after, Wales responded – against the run of play – if blindside Wainwright scored from nothing as the start to the Evaluation lasted. 22 popped loose, Wainwright was quick off the mark to leave the surrounding French forwards supporting him and claimed it.
Wales enrolled three points off the tee over 20 minutes through Biggar as Vahamahina was penalised for a high tackle on Jake Ball, highlighting the gap to two factors – something unimaginable only 10 minutes previously.
Because replacement back-row Moriarty was sin-binned for a high attack on Gael Fickou, it was short respite for Wales, however. He was lucky as replays appeared to indicate contact the France midfielder’s cheek initially to prevent a red card.
France had a try as Vakatawa reached out following some stunning play before devoting to his center, from wing Damian Penaud, who swerved inside both Davies and Biggar to score and cut inside Liam Williams.
As Wales kept them at bay, france remained on top for the of Moriarty’s sin-bin period, but failed to score, Ntamack struck the pole plus a Guirado attempt was jerking off to get an.
Into the second half, Les Bleus started with vigour, turning down a penalty shot for a kick – from which tragedy ensued for the side of Jacques Brunel.
With a attacking maul nicely set and creeping forward on 49 minutes, next row Vahaamahina needed a moment of insanity to modify the game, elbowing Wainwright at the head and receiving a red cardfor the forwards would have no complaints.
Wales instantly hit onto the front-foot using Biggar kicking a punishment but failed to press their advantage on, continually kicking ball away and dropping opportunities with mistakes.
Indeed, it took till the 74th minute to score the winning campaign, as the Wales pack drove contrary to the mind in a five-metre scrum, Tomos Williams ripped the ball loose – something which lived a TMO review – and though Tipuric was stopped short, Moriarty picked around earth online a phase later.
The straightforward conversion of biggar gave Wales the only point lead that they lacked. France couldn’t force themselves up the pitch and Wales were left to celebrate success.
France wing Penaud was magnificent. His capacity to slide players, to offload, to shoot his lightning pace, balls. What a player.
While Huget, Dupont and Vakatawa demonstrated their qualities fickou was a standout for France also. Ntamack is growing from the 10 shirt – .
For Wales, without a man of the game Wainwright, they would not have won the Exam. He was tireless and caught an opportunist try. Give up or gatland’s side never appear to panic – but they were fortunate to win .
Starting with the obvious, the activities of Vahaamahina were needless, something of lunacy and price his group.
France had just one foot to the semi-finals but had it whipped off by the towering lock’s elbow. All the more using Wales creating little ahead of the winner, they held out so long, could frustrate Les Bleus.
Wales? This is as poor as they have played in two years. Within their biggest match as the last World Cup, they fought to put away a extended France and neglected to do. Repeated aimless kicks, handling errors and poor conclusion supposed they nearly passed up the opportunity of the careers to make the four.
However, for the red card, then they would be going home. In reality, they nearly were even with it.