Wales the toast of New Zealand guaranteed home support in Rugby World Cup third place final

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Wales v France
Wales v France

BY JOHN GUBBA

When Wales take on Australia in the the third place final at the Rugby World Cup it will be all about ending this marathon tournament with a taste of glory

Any suggestion that this is a game no one wants to take part in is just disrespectful to the sport, the players and both nations.

It will be no consolation for missing out on the final they so deserved to reach, but you can bet your last dollar that this is a game the proud Welshmen desperately want to win.

Wales have won so many admirers for their outstanding contribution to the 2011 Rugby World Cup. And host nation New Zealand would absolutely love to see them overpower the Wallabies.

An immense performance by Wales ended in a heart-breaking 9-8 defeat after having skipper Sam Warburton sent off in the first half, in one of the most controversial decisions in the history of the Rugby World Cup.

UPDATE: Welsh bid to claim the tournament’s bronze medal ended in a narrow 21-18 defeat against Australia, but it was still Wales’ most successful World Cup campaign since 1987.