Les Bleus have a daunting task this weekend!

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Category: rugbywc2011

Published on Friday, 14 October 2011 12:33

Written by Sankha DLT

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The Welsh having qualified for the World cup semi-finals surprisingly look the better team on paper going in to this week’s clash. The Welsh team with a first round blemish to the defending champs South Africa came out swinging in their final outings to make a mark in the tournament.

Match fact

Date: 15th October

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland

Referee- Allan Rolland (Ireland)

Kick off time: 01:00pm (Sri Lankan time)

The French on the other hand have not had the best of World cup’s slumping to 8th in the world rankings after their defeat to Tonga in their final group game. They however redeemed themselves after a win against England last week in a quarter final clash to bump them up to 5th place.

French coach Marc Lievremont has insisted with Morgan Para at five eight during the tournament and will go in to the semis with the same halves combo with Dimitri Yachvili at number 9. Imanol Harinordoquy showed his experienced at the back of the scrum against the English last week and his loose play will be key for the French.

The French have the mental advantage going in to this encounter beating Wales in their previous 3 outings but the momentum is with the Welsh with just the one loss in the world cup so far and their set for another upset.

Ones to watch:

For Wales: Losing Rhys Priestland is a blow due to his calmness and seemingly endless time in possession (a hallmark of a good player) but the Welsh do not lose a lot in bringing James Hook back into the side. Their full-back or fly-half will demand of himself his best game in a Test shirt alongside Mike Phillips and if he can combine with Jamie Roberts while keeping his side in the right areas, then a World Cup final is a real possibility.

For France: He was immense last week and therefore Wales will know just how important it is to keep a lid on Imanol Harinordoquy at Eden Park. Having been left out by coach during patches of the Pools, the Biarritz number eight has now firmly cemented his spot back in blue. His battle with Welsh number eight Toby Faletau should be captivating from minute one.

Head-to-head: Two hard-nosed inside centers will go toe-to-toe this weekend as Jamie

Roberts meets Maxime Mermoz. Much like he has done during the tournament, Roberts will look to get at a fly-half and Morgan Parra must seem like candy in a sweet shop to the Welshman. That is why ultimate professional Mermoz needs to help out by standing closer to his ten in defence while the back-row will in turn focus on stopping Roberts after the initial contact. Flankers Thierry Dusautoir and Sam Warburton's battle will also take the breath away. Warburton runs all day while Dusautoir gets through the tackles. Keep an eye on it.

Past encounters

 

2011: France on 28-9 at Stade de France

2010: France won 26-20 at Millennium Stadium

2009: France won 21-16 at Stade de France

2008: Wales won 29-12 at Millennium Stadium

2007: France won 34-7 at Millennium Stadium

 

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