Rugby World Cup: France into final after beating 14-man Wales

Morgan Parra kicked three penalties as France advanced to their third rugby World Cup final with a nail-biting 9-8 victory over 14-man Wales in their semifinal at Eden Park on Saturday.

Wales were forced to play more than three-quarters of the match without captain Sam Warburton, who received a red card for a dangerous tackle on France winger Vincent Clerc in the 18th minute.

It was only the second time a player had been sent off in the knockout stage of the rugby World Cup, Welsh lock Huw Richards was sent off for fighting in the semi-final of the 1987 tournament against New Zealand.

Scrum-half Mike Phillips brushed away some weak tackling around the blindside of a ruck to score the match's only try, while James Hook added a first-half penalty for Wales.