France 9 Wales 8:The controversial sending off of Sam Warburton saw Wales crash out of the Rugby World at the hands of France. Warburton saw red after 19 minutes of an enthralling semi-final at Eden Park after referee Alain Rolland adjudged the captain had dangerously tackled Vincent Clerc.
The tackle, though clumsy, was certainly worthy of a yellow card, but Rolland ruled it was a dismissal. He could argue he was ruling to the letter of the law, but the decision undoubtedly cost Wales and left manager Warren Gatland bemused the contest could be decided in such a fashion.
"We just feel like the destiny of the result was taken out of our hands with the red card," he said afterwards. "He's lifted him, that's a yellow card, but he's not driven him into the ground. Does that mean every time there's a tackle where you lift someone off the ground it's a red card?
"Why spoil the semi-final with a red card? He's not a dirty player. I'm just gutted.
"We were down to 14 but we showed great character and I'm proud of our efforts. But we can't go to just one tournament and do well, we've got to kick on from here.
"I feel let down, I thought this team were good enough to go on and take the final but it was not to be. We just feel that ultimately the result wasn't in our control."
Despite the decision, Wales fought tooth and nail for a place in the final - and they even had chances to win it, with France seemingly unable to full take advantage of the extra man in their ranks.
A brilliant try from Mike Phillips and a penalty from James Hook, combined with some hard-running from Jamie Roberts, kept Wales in the contest. But the accuracy of Morgan Parra, who added nine points, ensured it would be France who would be returning to Eden Park for the final next Sunday.
Hook, in for the injured Rhys Priestland, had curled over a superb penalty after seven minutes to get Wales off to the perfect start - with the fly-half just off-target with a second attempt four minutes later.
However, the game erupted in 19 minutes when Warburton was sent off for the tackle on Clerc. The decision took many by surprise but Les Bleus were not complaining and they wasted little time in levelling the score with a penalty from Parra.
Only great scrambling defence prevented a try after Hook's clearance had been charged down, while Maxime Medard missed with a drop-goal effort.
Fortunately for Wales, though, a combination of spirited tackling and a lack of ideas from France in attack ensured the floodgates remained shut. And Wales had a chance to restore their lead but Hook's penalty slid wide.
It was France who moved 6-3 up as Parra added his second penalty of the game. He should have done better with a drop-goal attempt just after the break while the outhalf cut through the Wales defence before the cover managed to get across.
Parra did extend the lend with a third penalty on 50 minutes - however a moment of brilliance from Phillips gave Wales hope. The scrumhalf picked up at the base of a ruck, handed off Pascal Pape on the blindside and sprinted away to score. Stephen Jones, though, missed the conversion.
And Wales really should have taken the lead with nine minutes left, but despite having worked the position in the France 22 they failed to go for the drop-goal and ultimately coughed up possession.
They went agonisingly close three minutes later, with Leigh Halfpenny's long-range penalty dropping just short and dogged French defence at the death ensured there would be no heroic comeback for Wales.
