France’s scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili (centre left) runs with the ball during the IRB Rugby World Cup quarter final between England and France at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand, Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011. (AAP Image/AFP, Franck Fife)
Half-backs were in full control last night when Dimitri Yachvili and Mike Phillips led France and Wales into a Rugby World Cup semi final confrontation next weekend.
Yachvili was the conductor for France to waltz all over unbeaten England 19-12, Phillips the Welsh Goliath to crush unbeaten Ireland 22-10.
It was underdogs night after France had been thumped by the All Blacks 37-17, with a shock loss to Tonga 19-14 in their pool clashes.
And Wales still smarting from the 17-16 loss to the Boks in a game they should have won.
The No 9s were the catalysts.
Yachvili, and Phillips, enjoy plenty of toe. They are fast off the mark, and were both shrewd operators around the park dictating play with deft passing either side, or judicious kicking.
But they are vastly different physically – Yachvili 85 kgs and 182cm – Phillips a whopping 101kgs, and 191cms, by far the biggest of the eight quarter final half-backs.
The others:
* Piri Weepu (All Blacks) – 94kgs, 178 cms.
* Conor Murray (Ireland) – 91kgs, 187 cms.
* Fourie de Preez (Boks) – 88kgs, 183 cms.
* Ben Youngs (England) – 87kgs, 178 cms,
* Will Genia (Wallabies) – 85kgs, 182 cms.
* And Nicolas Vergallo (Argentina) – 77kgs, 169 cms.
Yachvili will find Phillips a handful in their battle to which one will be in the big one.
The after-match reactions last night:
Winner: Emile Ntamack, the French assistant coach in his broken English – “Just fantastic, we were very bad against Tonga but we have two faces – sometimes we are worse, sometimes we are genius like today”, which translates to he has no idea what French team will turn up on any given day, it’s a lottery.
Loser: Martin Johnson, England’s coach – “You can’t give a team like France 16 points at the break. We had defence lapses on the edge and they scored tries, but we had plenty of chances and just didn’t take them”, which translates to we made passes without purpose, we missed critical tackles, our handling was pathetic, and we over-ran support. Net result – exit.
Winner: Kiwi Warren Gatland, coach of Wales, former coach of Ireland, and the next All Blacks coach – “We weren’t ready to go home, we have a good blend of experience and exciting youth”, which translates to Gatland’s vision, selecting a 23-year-old captain in openside flanker Sam Warburton, who has turned up trumps, a virtual rookie goal-kicking fly-half Rhys Priestland (24), and 19-year-old winger George North to supplement a vastly experienced pack.
Loser: Brian O’Driscoll, Ireland’s skipper – “It sucks”. No translation required: Exit for the Irish.
Timnaik
Guest
Why should Warren Gatland become the next All Blacks coach? He's doing fine in Wales. NZ should promote either of Henry's assistants and be done with it.
Timnaik
Guest
Actually he's more like 169cm. I've met him and he's pretty short.
methysticum
Guest
Since when was Will Genia 182 cms tall, David? Try 172 cms.
Nathan
Roar Pro
Prepare to be amazed.
RedsNut
Guest
Wales were never going to be the underdogs, by the quality of their play in the pool rounds. I will be amazed if they loose to the French.
Derm
Roar Guru
Seiran - I agree with you. And I tipped Wales to be a surprise package for the World Cup a couple of months ago and laid a small wager on doing so. They've to be in the final for me to collect so I'm hoping they progress against France. The bookies, however, had Ireland as strong favourites from the outset, and their odds shortened further after the defeat of Australia. Such is life and I'm sure makes the Welsh victory even sweeter.
Seiran
Roar Guru
ahhh, I didn't realise he'd signed a new deal. Fair point. I don't think the AB's would have the cash to buy out the Welsh. It would be a shame for the AB's as I think Gatland is a great coach.
Johnno
Guest
But Serian Warren Gatland has a 4 year contract with Wales. Will he just quite that contract and will Wales give him a release. He may be getting more money to as coach of wales than NZ. Maybe the welsh union have more money maybe they don't but he has signed a 4 year deal to 2015.
Seiran
Roar Guru
I don't know why the editors have given the article this title. Anyone who's been watching the build up tests and the world cup matches should have been able to tell that Wales were solid favourites going into this test. I've been saying since the Wales/Bok test that I preferred the Wallabies to be playing the Boks, and Wales looked the goods to make it all the way to the final. Wales will beat France by a considerable margin and will give whoever they play in the final a very good run for their money. And yes David, I think you're right with your statement about the next AB coach. If Wales do make it to the final, which I see no reason why they shouldn't, Gatland will likely walk straight into the AB role when it becomes available.
Dc
Guest
Mike Philipps ..can we have him play for the all blacks please ?
Johnno
Guest
Viscount Freddie du preez biritish lions series 2009. Both Freddie Du preez and Mike phillips played in that series and both had great series in 2009.
Viscount Crouchback
Guest
I thought Phillips was absolutely outstanding. In fact, I can't remember the last time I saw a scrum-half perform so brilliantly - the try itself was brilliant but it was the speed and length of his passing that really caught my eye. He's able to pass half the width of the field in the blink of an eye. It must be a joy to play at 10 and 12 behind him.
Uncle Argyle
Guest
Mike Phillips looked Gareth Edwards-esque diving over for that try. Although about 25 kg heavier even without side burns the size of a coal miners forearms, Phillips is starting to make his impression on the games like the little Welsh master of the 70's.