French destiny to reach WC final

France believe they have "destiny" on their side despite being labelled as possibly the worst team ever to reach a World Cup final.

France coach Marc Lievremont was defiantly unapologetic after 'Les Bleus', yet to win the World Cup, squeezed into their third final on the back of a mediocre 9-8 win over 14-man Wales at Eden Park here on Saturday.

"I don't care at all whether it was a good match or not, whether the Welsh deserve to be in the final, we have qualified for the final and that's all that counts," Lievremont insisted.

Wales played more than an hour a man down after captain Sam Warburon was sent off by Irish referee Alain Rolland in the 19th minute for a 'tip tackle' on Vincent Clerc that saw the France wing land on the back of his head.

AUCKLAND, Oct 16, 2011 (AFP)