Wales Wuz Robbed
When the biggest talking point of a sporting contest is the referee - it's normally a bad sign.
And the Wales vs France rugby match earlier today - the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup - is no exception.
The referee - Alain Rolland - showed the Welsh captain - Sam Warburton - a red card and sent him off after 10 minutes - for a dangerous tackle.
A terrible decision that spoiled the game - and what should have been a truly memorable occasion - for rugby fans around the world.
The referee had access to a TV replay to check the fairness of his decision - though for some inexplicable reason - he failed to do so.
Yet Wales refused to give up a battled bravely to stay in the game - even though they were a man down for most of the match.
At times it was like watching a boxing match - with a heavyweight taking on a lightweight.
But Wales fought back in the second half - took the game to their opponents and scored the only try of the match - to make the score Wales 8 - 9 France.
In the end they only just failed to win the game - which would have been a truly wonderful achievement.
The French side have now gone through to the final - where they will probably meet the host nation - New Zealand.
Rugby being 'a sport for hooligans played by gentlemen' - meant there was no riot by the fans - or excuses by the Wales team.
Rugby in Wales is part sport and part national religion.
But I couldn't have been more disappointed for their national team - after such a courageous and battling performance.
And the Wales vs France rugby match earlier today - the semi-final of the Rugby World Cup - is no exception.
The referee - Alain Rolland - showed the Welsh captain - Sam Warburton - a red card and sent him off after 10 minutes - for a dangerous tackle.
A terrible decision that spoiled the game - and what should have been a truly memorable occasion - for rugby fans around the world.
The referee had access to a TV replay to check the fairness of his decision - though for some inexplicable reason - he failed to do so.
Yet Wales refused to give up a battled bravely to stay in the game - even though they were a man down for most of the match.
At times it was like watching a boxing match - with a heavyweight taking on a lightweight.
But Wales fought back in the second half - took the game to their opponents and scored the only try of the match - to make the score Wales 8 - 9 France.
In the end they only just failed to win the game - which would have been a truly wonderful achievement.
The French side have now gone through to the final - where they will probably meet the host nation - New Zealand.
Rugby being 'a sport for hooligans played by gentlemen' - meant there was no riot by the fans - or excuses by the Wales team.
Rugby in Wales is part sport and part national religion.
But I couldn't have been more disappointed for their national team - after such a courageous and battling performance.
