AUCKLAND (AP) ― France advanced to the Rugby World Cup final Saturday with a 9-8 victory over a Wales side that nearly overcame captain Sam Warburton’s ejection.
In the other semifinal, Australia will face New Zealand on Sunday.
Wales led 3-0 when Warburton picked up France winger Vincent Clerc and dropped him dangerously in the 18th minute, prompting Irish referee Alain Rolland to immediately eject the skipper.
“Obviously, I’m gutted with the red card,” Warburton said. “There was nothing malicious and no malicious intent. The boys are gutted with the result but ... the courage and bravery they showed was second to none.”
Wales coach Warren Gatland was suprised how quickly Warburton was ejected.
“The thing that surprises me is that the reaction of the referee is instant and I thought an experienced referee at that stage would have said, ‘Well hang on a minute, let’s bring my two touchies in, lets have a chat,’” Gatland said. “You would have thought they would have had a chance to have a look at the screen, see the replay and perhaps make a cool judgment. But it’s just come out of the blue, quickly. We were discussing in the box what’s happening and someone said ‘he’s off!”
France scored all its points on Morgan Parra’s three penalty goals.
“I prefer playing like this and winning than playing well and losing,” France scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili said. “We’re very proud because the team spirit won today.”
