Marc Lièvremont happy with result of semi-final encounter between France and Wales – Rugby News
France national Rugby Union team’s head coach, Marc Lièvremont, has expressed his happiness with the result of his squad's semi-final game against Wales.After winning the close encounter the
coach stated, “I will not brood or be unhappy because it was not our best game. What matters is we are going to the final.”
France defeated Wales 9 – 8 in the first semi-final of the 2011 Rugby World Cup (RWC) at Eden Park, Auckland. Wales were a man down, after their captain and flanker Sam Warburton was red carded
in the 18th minute of the game.
Lièvremont has expressed his delight on the fact that his team has played their heart out in their semi-final encounter. He added that the people who are not be happy with France progressing
into the final of the 2011 RWC must accept that his team has made it to the finals. He added, “We have qualified for the final and that is all that counts. We had a guardian angel tonight.”
Earlier, France recovered from their historic defeat by Tonga, which they suffered in their last match of Pool A, to deliver an upset by defeating England in the quarter-final.
Lièvremont acknowledged that the semifinal game was not one of the games in which France was simply phenomenal. He confirmed that his side struggled during the initial phase of the game and
lost their confidence. He has expressed his disappointment that France were not able to capitalise on the opportunity created when Wales became a 14-man side.
Lièvremont has praised Les Bleus composure, particularly after Wales second try, which took the scorecard reading 9 – 8. He expressed his satisfaction on the fact that France was able to hold
back the Wales late surge, which really came hard in the last phases of the game.
In replying to question regarding whether he was worried that Wales will claim a victory, Lièvremont replied, he was concerned about the drop goal but besides that, there were not nervous moments
in the game.
France will play the winner of the All Blacks and Wallabies encounter in the final of the 2011 RWC. He expressed his desire to face the All Blacks in the final on next Sunday.
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