Wales trail after Warburton sees red

Wales' early momentum was halted as captain Sam Warburton was sent off midway through the first half of their semi-final with France, who took a 6-3 lead into the break at Eden Park on Saturday.

The inspirational flanker saw red for a tip tackle after 18 minutes to add to the handicap his team suffered in losing veteran prop Adam Jones to injury.

Although the Welsh battled bravely to hold on, two penalties from fly half Morgan Parra countered the single success by his opposite number James Hook.

After a heavy shower minutes before kick-off, handling was difficult and there were several errors in the opening minutes.

Wales opened the scoring when Hook, standing in for injured fly half Rhys Priestland, kicked a penalty from out wide on the left after seven minutes.

Greasy surface

Shortly after they lost prop Jones, playing in his 75th Test for his country, to a calf injury. He was replaced by Paul James.

But the scrum held firm and produced a penalty in front of the posts in the 10th minute, only for Hook to slip on the greasy surface in the act of kicking and the ball sailed wide of the posts.

Wales centre Jamie Roberts breached the French line in the 15th minute but as he crossed the opposition 22-metre line his attempted pass flew into the face of midfield partner Jonathan Davies.

Warburton, bidding to lead Wales into their first Rugby World Cup final, got his marching orders from referee Alain Rolland for the tackle on France wing Vincent Clerc.

As the Wales scrum came under pressure Parra converted a penalty to draw the scores level after 21 minutes.

He was on target with another penalty 12 minutes later.

Hook missed another straightforward penalty and then scuffed a drop-goal attempt as the interval approached.