Wales vs. France - A Review
France (9) - Wales (8)
I think the entire world could hear the bottom drop out on Wales when Alain Rolland, official for the first semi-final of RWC 2011, dug deep into his pocket to pull out that dreaded red card. Sam Warburton - what a warrior, what a captain, what a devastating blow. France could breathe easier? Right? You would think so. I mean, that luck would shine her smiling face on you at 16 minutes into the semi-final...you don't just get 10 minutes with a man overlap - you get to play for an hour with an overlap.
Certainly worse teams in the world would have done a better job at capitalizing on an overlap than France did last night. They should have moved the ball, they should have utilized territory more, they should have run Wales into the ground. But they didn't. They decided to play the most boring, uninventive, uninspiring, entry level rugby that we've seen yet at this world cup...bested only by England but it would only be by a small margin. But I guess when it works for you, and it has - France in the final now, aren't they.
Wales wasn't without their mistakes. 50 yard penalty conversions that miss by inches and a conversion kick that hits the sticks just to start and this is all in the shadow of that blasted red card. May it be said, Warburton deserved a sin bin for the tip tackle. It has been called clearly throughout the tournament but the tackle was not malicious in intent, Warburton obviously stopping his drive once he had realized what what happening. But a red card - to a player who does not even have a shred of reputation of the sort. Alain Rolland - I hope you get a red card for your officiating - you single-handedly sent the wrong team to the RWC 2011 final. And history will tell of the card that came from your pocket that decided this cup.
Wales was not perfect. Their heart and desire to overcome the first 20 minutes was courageous and should always be remembered. But Wales did not consolidate their rucks, consistently letting the French step over to hassle the half-back. And their set piece...it was the one thing that I said would win Wales the game. With Adam Jones out almost within minutes of the game starting with a calf injury - the set piece was thrown into disarray. And then the red card further dismantled it. Line out after line out, Wales' fight became harder and yet - despite the odds, they fought to the last, dying seconds.
France will not win the world cup. France cannot win the world cup. It would be a farcical win having been one of the truest disappointments of the tournament. But hey - Tonga can sleep well tonight knowing that they walked away from the RWC 2011 having beaten one of the finalists.
Certainly worse teams in the world would have done a better job at capitalizing on an overlap than France did last night. They should have moved the ball, they should have utilized territory more, they should have run Wales into the ground. But they didn't. They decided to play the most boring, uninventive, uninspiring, entry level rugby that we've seen yet at this world cup...bested only by England but it would only be by a small margin. But I guess when it works for you, and it has - France in the final now, aren't they.
Wales wasn't without their mistakes. 50 yard penalty conversions that miss by inches and a conversion kick that hits the sticks just to start and this is all in the shadow of that blasted red card. May it be said, Warburton deserved a sin bin for the tip tackle. It has been called clearly throughout the tournament but the tackle was not malicious in intent, Warburton obviously stopping his drive once he had realized what what happening. But a red card - to a player who does not even have a shred of reputation of the sort. Alain Rolland - I hope you get a red card for your officiating - you single-handedly sent the wrong team to the RWC 2011 final. And history will tell of the card that came from your pocket that decided this cup.
Wales was not perfect. Their heart and desire to overcome the first 20 minutes was courageous and should always be remembered. But Wales did not consolidate their rucks, consistently letting the French step over to hassle the half-back. And their set piece...it was the one thing that I said would win Wales the game. With Adam Jones out almost within minutes of the game starting with a calf injury - the set piece was thrown into disarray. And then the red card further dismantled it. Line out after line out, Wales' fight became harder and yet - despite the odds, they fought to the last, dying seconds.
France will not win the world cup. France cannot win the world cup. It would be a farcical win having been one of the truest disappointments of the tournament. But hey - Tonga can sleep well tonight knowing that they walked away from the RWC 2011 having beaten one of the finalists.
Comments
Post a Comment