IN AN ACT of mindless recklessness, France second row Sébastien Vahaamahina has left his side with a big mountain to climb in their World Cup quarter-final against Wales after he saw red.
With France leading 19-10 early in the second half, Vahaamahina became the eighth player to be sent-off at this tournament when he elbowed Aaron Wainwright in the face.
It was a moment of madness from the Clermont lock, who gave referee Jaco Peyper with no choice but to brandish red, with Vahaamahina apologising to his team-mates as he left the field.
Advertisement
The powerful lock, a hero when he scored the opening try of the match in the fifth minute, became a villain in the 49th after first wrapping his arm around the neck of Wainwright and then driving his elbow into the chin of the Wales flanker at a maul.
Earlier, he had opened the scoring for France at Oita Stadium as Les Bleus powered into a half-time lead in the third quarter-final tie on Sunday.
France beat Wales 9-8 in a 2011 World Cup semi-final in Auckland after then Welsh captain Sam Warburton received an early red card for a dangerous tip tackle on Vincent Clerc.
TRY:
5 mins: Wales 0-5 FRANCE
Sebastien Vahaamahina scores an early try, Romain Ntamack hits the post with the conversion.
France extended their lead shortly after. A stunning counter-attack involved Vakaatawa and Ntamack set Dupont racing clear and with options on both sides of the scrum-half, he picked out the supporting Charles Ollivon who ran it in under the posts.
TRY:
12 mins: Wales 0-12 FRANCE
Charles Ollivon finishes a brilliant France running move, Romain Ntamack kicks the conversion.
French flair at it’s very best, but then minutes later, they offered Wales a route back into the game when Guirado spilled possession and Wainwright turned on the after-burners to charge away for a seven-pointer.
It was the first time three tries have been scored inside the opening quarter of any World Cup knockout game.
TRY:
12 mins: WALES 7-12 France.
Aaron Wainwright picks up the loose ball following a Guilhem Guirado mistake to score for Wales, Dan Biggar kicks the conversion.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
11 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Watch: France's Vahaamahina sees red for mindlessly elbowing Wainwright
IN AN ACT of mindless recklessness, France second row Sébastien Vahaamahina has left his side with a big mountain to climb in their World Cup quarter-final against Wales after he saw red.
With France leading 19-10 early in the second half, Vahaamahina became the eighth player to be sent-off at this tournament when he elbowed Aaron Wainwright in the face.
It was a moment of madness from the Clermont lock, who gave referee Jaco Peyper with no choice but to brandish red, with Vahaamahina apologising to his team-mates as he left the field.
The powerful lock, a hero when he scored the opening try of the match in the fifth minute, became a villain in the 49th after first wrapping his arm around the neck of Wainwright and then driving his elbow into the chin of the Wales flanker at a maul.
Earlier, he had opened the scoring for France at Oita Stadium as Les Bleus powered into a half-time lead in the third quarter-final tie on Sunday.
France beat Wales 9-8 in a 2011 World Cup semi-final in Auckland after then Welsh captain Sam Warburton received an early red card for a dangerous tip tackle on Vincent Clerc.
France extended their lead shortly after. A stunning counter-attack involved Vakaatawa and Ntamack set Dupont racing clear and with options on both sides of the scrum-half, he picked out the supporting Charles Ollivon who ran it in under the posts.
French flair at it’s very best, but then minutes later, they offered Wales a route back into the game when Guirado spilled possession and Wainwright turned on the after-burners to charge away for a seven-pointer.
It was the first time three tries have been scored inside the opening quarter of any World Cup knockout game.
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Allez les Bleus Red mist RWC2019