Wales have limped into the Rugby World Cup semi-finals in Japan with a 20-19 victory over France in what was a poor performance this morning.
The Welsh needed a try in the final minutes of the game to win against the 14-men of France as Warren Gatland’s men just about made it to the final four of the competition.
It was the French that got off to a flying start as they looked to cause an upset. Using the ball in open play and putting Wales under pressure deep in their own half.
That pressure paid off after six minutes when from a line-out they drove toward the Welsh line and within a couple of phases they were over the line as lock Sebastien Vahaamahina barged over from close range. Youngster Romain Ntamack hit the post with the conversion leaving it at 5-0.
Two minutes later and things got even better for Les Bleus as Virimi Vakatawa showed great vision to break through a gap in his own half before passing to Ntamack who drew in defenders before he sent it to Antoine Dupont, who in turn popped it to Charles Ollivon race over for the second try in as many minutes. Ntamack made no mistake with the kick this time around.
The frantic start continued, with Wales’ Aaron Wainwright taking full advantage of loose ball in the middle of the pitch, picking it up and showing brilliant pace to dart to the try-line and score. Dan Biggar provided the extras as Wales got back into the game.
Biggar reduced the deficit even further on the 20 minute mark as he slotted over a penalty to make it 12-10 to the French with a quarter of the match gone.
However, in the space of five minutes Wales’ good work was undone as Josh Navidi went off injured, being replaced by Ross Moriarty. Moriarty was barely on the pitch and he was off again as he was shown a yellow-card for a high-tackle on Gael Fickou.
Within two minutes of going down to 14-men and Wales conceded a third try as the French showed great hands, spreading the ball across the back-line, with Damian Penaud sending a beautiful offload in a tackle to Vakatawa who barrelled over. Ntamack pushed France further ahead at 19-10.
France continued to search for more points over the remaining ten minutes of the half but Wales managed to hold out as it stayed 19-10 in favour of Les Bleus come the half-time whistle.
The men in blue started the second-half brightly, but things began to change nearly ten minutes in as Vahaamahina was sent off for a reckless elbow into the face of Wainwright, while France were in a position to score another try.
Minutes later and Biggar cut further into the lead with another penalty to make it 19-13.
Despite France having only 14-men they looked the more likely to score as Wales failed to show any signs of pushing for a winning score.
However, with only six minutes left Wales struck the vital blow as replacement scrum-half Tomos Williams ripping the ball out of French hands just in front of the French try-line. Justin Tupuric caught the ball and looked as though he may have gone over himself but was just held short, but Moriarty was on hand to dive over the line to touch the ball down. Biggar slotted over the extras to give Wales the lead for the first time in the match.
Wales held out to secure a narrow victory at 20-19.
Next up for Wales is a semi-final against either South Africa or Japan, but they will need a massive improvement if they are to reach their first ever World Cup final.
Wales Player Ratings
Starting XV:
Liam Williams (6), George North (5), Owen Watkin (6), Hadleigh Parkes (6), Josh Adams (5), Dan Biggar (6), Gareth Davies (6); Wyn Jones (6), Ken Owens (6), Tomas Francis (6), Jake Ball (7), Alun Wyn Jones (6), Aaron Wainwright (8), Justin Tipuric (7), Josh Navidi (6)
Replacements (7)
