Semi-Finals : Wales v France

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France 9 - Wales 8

Alun Wyn Jones of Wales and Imanol Harinordoquy of France compete for lineout ball during semi final one of the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup between Wales and France at Eden Park on October 15, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.

( October 14, 2011 - Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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France edge fourteen-man Wales
France booked their place in the 2011 Rugby World Cup Final with a 9-8 win over Wales at Eden Park on Saturday.
Did they deserve it for the way they played against fourteen men? No. But that is rugby as Wales bow out following what was a superb tournament.
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Sam Warburton of Wales up ends Vincent Clerc of France during semi final one of the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup between Wales and France at Eden Park on October 15, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.

( October 14, 2011 - Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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Sam Warburton was the man shown red for a dangerous tackle after just 18 minutes but that didn't stop Wales from scoring the only try of the game, through Mike Phillips on the hour mark.
But it wasn't enough in the end as three Morgan Parra penalties ultimately trumped a solitary three-pointer from James Hook and that try.
A repeat of the 1987 final is almost complete.
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Mike Phillips of Wales dispatches the ball during semi final one of the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup between Wales and France at Eden Park on October 15, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.

( October 14, 2011 - Photo by Hannah Johnston/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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Man of the match: All fourteen Welsh players on the field. They played with their hearts on their sleeves for their country and were desperately unlucky not to be in next week's final.
Moment of the match: Simple; the red card for Sam Warburton.
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Villain of the match: A quick decision from match referee Alain Rolland pretty much sealed the fate of Wales. If he had of taken time to talk to his touch-judges Wayne Barnes and Jonathan Kaplan then maybe the game might not have been soured.
read the whole thing here:
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9989_7242367,00.html
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Imanol Harinordoquy of France jumps for a high ball with Leigh Halfpenny of Wales during semi final one of the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup between Wales and France at Eden Park on October 15, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.

( October 14, 2011 - Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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Parra punishes 14-man Wales
Wales, despite having captain Sam Warburton sent off in the 18th minute, were in sight of the winning points with the clock running down. France were forced to defend in their own half for 27 phases without giving their desperate opponents the chance to sneak through.
Wales were repeatedly driven back in the tackle, their kickers were pushed out of drop-goal range and their hopes of a remarkable comeback were snuffed out.
match page here: with video:
http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/matches/match=11231/analysis.html#parra+punishes+wales
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William Servat of France makes a run but is tackled by Toby Faletau of Wales during semi final one of the 2011 IRB Rugby World Cup between Wales and France at Eden Park on October 15, 2011 in Auckland, New Zealand.

( October 14, 2011 - Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images AsiaPac)

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next test:
3rd Place Play-Off
10-21
Wales
Auckland
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Rugby World Cup Final
10-23
France
Eden Park
Auckland
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