Rugby
2011-10-15 - Wales vs France
A Sports Betting Pick by Paddy
Rugby : Rugby World Cup 2011 : Semi Final 1
Saturday, 15th October 2011 - Kickoff 21:00(local)
After scoring 169 points in their last three matches, could the time be right for Wales to reach their first World Cup Final?
Warren Gatland’s team are just eighty minutes away from making history, with England’s conquerors France standing between them and a place in rugby’s showpiece event.
Wales could make history
You have to go back 24 years since the last time Wales reached the semi-final of the rugby World Cup although on that occasion they were thumped 49-6 by the All Blacks in Brisbane. So, considering their form heading into this match is good and with less intimidating opponents, this could be Wales’ chance of making history.
To do so, they will have to beat a France side to which they have lost in the last three Six Nations championships. Experienced fly-half Stephen Jones believes Wales can do it, however. He told the BBC: “We have got to make sure we are good defensively. They are cracking outfit and we know that. Hopefully we can have the ball for longer periods [than against Ireland]. If that is the case we can get our attacking game going and we won’t have to be as defensive minded.
“There’s a great feeling in the camp at the moment. We have got a young squad, but the guys are pretty chilled out which is a good thing. It is important you enjoy what you do. If you do that you perform better. “We are an ambitious group and we want to make sure we go through and get to the final.”
Wales are the slight favourites to win in Auckland and to reach the World Cup final for the first time. Wales could make history on Saturday, but France have big-game experience.
France a dangerous side
Having dispatched England in the quarter final, France head into their sixth World Cup semi final in great heart. Coach Marc Lievremont has, unsurprisingly, named the same side that beat England 19-12 and so Morgan Parra will again start at fly-half.
France have lost just one of their last six matches against Wales and eleven of the French starting line up played in their 28=9 victory over Wales in this year’s Six Nations. Lievremont is not taking anything for granted, however. He said: “The danger is for the players to start thinking they are too good…we are Latin, so there is always a risk.
“The Anglo-Saxons are far more pragmatic. I hope the prospect of playing in the final is enough. We have to be capable of imposing our own style of rugby. Wales have been playing with great intelligence. I have been impressed by their spirit and they have been playing world-class rugby.”
Defeat on Saturday would mark France’s third consecutive exit at the semi-final stage and the best nation never to have won the title will be confident of progressing to their third final.
The Verdict
Saturday’s semi-final promises to be a nerve wracking contest for fans of both nations and is almost too close to call.
Wales have been in sparkling form over the last two weeks and they eliminated many people’s dark horses, Ireland, in the last round. France, however, looked excellent in their win over England and have experience of playing in the business end of a major tournament.
It’s worth remembering though that England were dreadful in the first half last weekend and France’s previous performances this month have been poor (don’t forget that defeat to Tonga).
You don’t become a stunning rugby team overnight and I think Wales can exploit France’s weaknesses and make history by reaching their first final.
The Pick :
Wales to make history - just
