Wales would have beaten ABs: Coach

Wales defence coach Shaun Edwards says his side would have beaten the All Blacks and claimed the Rugby World Cup title if they had got past France in the semifinals.

Wales lost to France 9-8 at Eden Park after captain Sam Warburton was sent off in just the 18th minute for a dangerous tackle on winger Vincent Clerc. Leigh Halfpenny missed a late long distance penalty which would have likely put Wales through to first ever World Cup final.

Instead they played Australia in the bronze final, losing the match 21-18, while the All Blacks claimed their second title by beating France 8-7 in the final.

Edwards, who cut ties with Wales after the tournament, says the All Blacks were there for the taking had Wales reached the final.

"It was massively disappointing," he told the official Six Nations website. "When I'm old and grey sitting in my rocking chair I'll look back and say yeah we done well but it was it a missed opportunity not to come home with a gold medal.

"I mean particularly looking at how the final went - the All Blacks were there for the taking. I just think had we have gotten into the final, given the size of our team, we could have matched them."

Edwards says his side would have tried to expose the parts of the All Black backline where Wales had a size advantage.

"To be going into a game where your team is bigger that the All Blacks is very unusual, bar South Africa it just doesn't happen."

"I felt with having three backs over 105 Kg's, had we come up against the likes of Conrad Smith, Nonu and potentially Sonny Bill we would brought it to them- it would have been a great match up."

The former Wasps coach gave little away about his coaching future but said he wished to work with the British and Irish Lions at some point.

"I have a totally open mind but a really, really big goal of mine is to win a Lion's series. I want to be involved in a winning tour, we came so close the last time but it's a massive ambition of mine."

- HERALD ONLINE