The semis of the Rugby World Cup were played this weekend and the results were surprising in two ways. One was in the manner that France beat Wales and the other was the fact that the All Blacks gave the Wallabies very little chance to even make a game of it. It was a Rugby Cup weekend of filled with controversy and unexpected outcomes.

France and Wales

Les Bleus managed to barely beat Wales 9-8. The French club was helped by some calls by the refs who penalized Wales three times. In the first half Wales found itself down as Sam Warburton, team captain, received a controversial red flag, making fans wonder whatever happened to letting the boys play the game and not letting the officials decide the outcome. Warburton was out. Then in the same half there was the injury to prop Adam Jones. He was also out.

But Wales battled hard after being down 6-3 at the half and had chances to make it to the finals for the first time ever. It wasn’t that the French team proved to be too much. Scrum-half Mike Phillips gave it a tough try but the club missed a series of kicks that sealed their fate. The last one was from a long distance and fell just short of the crossbar.

France is a big question mark. With the Wales club down so low, they should have proven themselves by blowing them out. But that was not the case. They more or less hung on, reaping the benefit of a decimated Wales club to get to the finals.

The French team has been inconsistent and unspectacular throughout the Cup but they have managed to somehow survive.

Australia and New Zealand

Although New Zealand was favored, it was thought that Australia would show up and put in a good match. But the All Blacks were all-around superior to the Wallabies, beating them soundly 20-6 in the second semi-final match of the weekend. Australia struggled throughout the match, while NZ made their way to the finals with some top notch play, proving that unlike next week’s opponent, France, they know how to win in convincing fashion.

By the half the All Blacks were up by eight points, but it could have been much more as they totally outclassed their stunned opponents. The half was 14-6 and in the second half it was all NZ as they scored the only points in the second. What won it for the All Blacks was their superior play upfront. They proved that they had the grunt and took the match away from their opponents.

Sunday’s Game

This Sunday, France and New Zealand meet in what will be a rematch of the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup Final. By the way, the All Blacks have not made it back to the Finals since they first appeared there against France. It looks like 24 years later may be the charm for NZ.

One thing all are hoping is that the refs will not determine the winner of this one as they did this past week in the France/Wales match. If they let them play, rugby bettors should expect a lopsided victory for the All Blacks. Then again, there is a reason they play the game.