We look at the talking points after Wales left it late to watch 14-man France and seal a Rugby World Cup semi-final set with a victory in Oita.
France scored first-half tries through Sebastien Vahaamahina, Charles Ollivon and Virimi Vakatawa, however dropped Vahaamahina into some second-half red card following a crass elbow to the mind of Wales Aaron Wainwright, enabling Warren Gatlands side back into the Evaluation and to claim it with time exercising.
Here is what stood out following a eventful Sunday on Japans south Island…
Only 1 place to get started. This Rugby World Cup quarter-final Evaluation turned to the action of one man. In reality, it turned on the movement of a single mans elbow.
France, for nearly 50 minutes, were stunning. They have been winning the flashes in touch, dominating in the tackle, making penetrating offloads and hammering defenders at will.
They scored three tries. The half-time stats made for utterly notable studying: 91 carries to Wales 44, a gigantic 334 metres made to Wales 12 offloads, some 26 gain-line victories and 134.
When tails are upward and optimism is high, any France facet in history is difficult to contain. Nevertheless, when it is one which possesses it is nigh on impossible to quell them. They had been carving and slicing through Wales always, and doing so with a few rugby that was spellbinding.
Five minutes from the close of the half, France butchered a opening. Having got to within metres of this try-line through Vakatawa together with Wales down to 14 (Ross Moriarty was in the sin-bin), Les Bleus gorgeous free-flowing drama turned a bit rushed at the critical moment as Romain Ntamack and Maxime Medard possibly threw offloads they shouldnt have, viewing the ball turned over.
Though there was time for Gael and Ntamack Fickou to unite for a break producing a penalty which co and skipper Guilhem Guirado decided to kick. Ntamack hit at a game as tight as the scoreline suggests, absolutely every missed chance mattered, and the post.
A nine stage half-time direct, while healthy, seemed paltry from the conditions.
There was no stopping the men in blue, however, who started the second period on top too. Turning down a shot has been yet another sign of the confidence at the moment.
It is here where all changed. A compliment in the five-metre lineout was introduced to Fickou, by backs Damian Penaud and Medard to create a well set maul which was edging .
Scrum-half Antoine Dupont had hands over the ball and looked set to dart – indeed he did and over the try-line eventually, but after the referees whistle. Referee Jaco Peyper initially suggested a punishment due to a hold of the neck byFrance five, having received communicating from among his assistants.
The key action in the No 5, Vahaamahina happens on 47:25, when Biggar cries the penalty to 25, however, perform resumes. It isnt until the episode is replayed on the huge screens almost a minute later, in full warmth of those thousands watching – and – referee Peyper – that it is referred upstairs.
The pictures reveal Vahaamahina having grabbed Wainwright around the neck, that the Welshman remonstrating to the referee in reaction, then in a fit of frustration at Wainwrights appeals and in wild ignorance to the fact hed not be able get away with such an act, Vahaamahina savagely thrusts back a vicious elbow into the side of an undercover Wainwrights head.
It takes just 1 look after a formal TMO review for Peyper to sayred to both supporters. The very first sending off in a World Cup knockout game since 2011, and certainly the easiest of them all.
At a stroke of jealousy, that 2011 conclusion was from a Test between these two states: Sam Warburtons infamous red card that is semi-final. But this in Oita, was arguably worse.
Back in 2011, although Wales were hot favourites, the game was at a previous stage and very tight. On Sunday, the Evaluation was over until Vahaamahinas rash intervention.
It was a point of discussion throughout half-time as to if the inability to score points when on top or have a lead of France would come back to hurt them. Although nobody expected it to have emanated from a bad act of self-induced injury, it did.
Not only should Warren Gatlands side have been blown out of their semi-final by half-timethey nearly exited despite facing 14 for 32 minutes.
Wales lethargic, were sloppy and got sucked right into a loose contest the like of which they not went to succeed in. All that shifted, but Wales didnt carry out.
Despite control of the match falling in their laps without a desirable play of their own, Wales continued to kick professionally and professionally, to knock-on the ball in threatening positions and to give away cheap turnovers.
They muddled by scoring one penalty through 10 minutes after the red card but constructing next to nothing later. With 15 minutes to go, Wales subsequently made a mess of an opportunity that looked more difficult to garner zero things from than to convert as George North failed to get a pass away into a four-man overload – a seemingly certain attempt faded.
Wales conspired to maneuver up gold territory with replacement tighthead prop Dillon Lewis while, even in the moments before Ross Moriarty notched the vital try.
The shortage of ruthlessness, of a mindset, of a nature was baffling from Wales. Blood was there to be smelt, however they turned their noses away, not able to take advantage.
The players themselves will know they were fortunate to claim success in Oita. Plaudits must be cut at that, although they ought to be applauded for never giving up or losing hope.
It was as bad a performance as Wales have set in for two years. Do again Sunday from South Africa in their World Cup semi-final, and they will most certainly be outside.
For many, such a result will be still another example of the thoroughly inconsistent nature on the athletic field, of self-combustion that is French.
Really, it is only nine months or so ago they let a lead in Paris slip away with then been cruising and cutting open Gatlands charges openly.
Back then, France did implode courtesy of monumental individual mistakes from Yoann Huget and Vahaamahina (remember him?) Gifting two attempts to Wales wing North.
On Sunday, aside from a ludicrous moment of position self-abandonment from a single person – the like of that can never be legislated for by anyone – France revealed fight to dig and pull off a remarkable victory.
This was another example of arrogance, of France downing tools. It was not ego coming ahead business and difficult work.
Les Bleus were creating chances when down to 14 and gave everything. Tried offload and a Vakatawa fracture failed to come off to Penaud Before the hour . With 10 minutes of this Evaluation remaining, France had Wales where they needed them using a five-metre scrum underneath the Welsh posts, but only lost control at the back part of their seven-man drive – the ball agonisingly squirming through Duponts legs and into Wales clutches.
This evening and this result will be hard for these France gamers to have over. It is, without question. And one, that really, should never have been permitted to.
They wont feel it for a certain time, or today, however this France team is constructing something. Its core of talented springs, and powerful forwards are doused with potential.
Wing Penaud verged on the unplayable, slaloming offloading out of contact, creating attempts, promising chunks, engendering wash breaks. His performance was a takeaway.
Fickous capacity to break the gain-line, control his would-be tackler and combine it with his own offloading skill have marked him out in Japan also – hes been among the actors of the championship.
His France function has been found by vakatawa also fits the mould of the division that was back: strong hands and rapid feet. Huget, dupont, Ntamack and Medard had moments also.
If France play as they did with a compliment on Sunday, they are a match for anybody. And on a day of huge disappointment for so many, there ought to be a little optimism also and a degree of expectation.

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