Edwards: Angry at Warburton dismissal

Edwards' emotions were still raw, he still had to bite his tongue when asked about Warburton's sending-off, which he believes cost Wales their rightful place in the World Cup final.

But the morning after the night before, Edwards' pain was soothed, in part, by the pride he felt towards a young Wales squad he views as a credit to their country and a credit to their sport.

Wales came agonisingly close to reaching the final, losing 9-8 to France at Auckland's Eden Park despite playing for 62 minutes with 14 men.

Warburton, Wales' inspirational captain and one of the stars of the World Cup, was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Vincent Clerc and was on Sunday banned for three weeks.

Edwards described it as a "travesty" that France would be playing in Sunday's showpiece - but nothing could diminish his pride in what Wales had achieved and what they stand for.

"I feel empty," said Edwards.

"I just think there's a sense of disappointment that a team who have acquitted them so well and want to entertain fans and want to play rugby, are not in the sport's premier blue riband event.

"It is very tempting for me to come out with loud statements but it is more important I keep my dignity in what is quite a trying time.

"You take comfort from the fact that the men you are involved with are an incredibly courageous, incredibly dedicated group who have come to the premier event and acquitted themselves in such a magnificent manner.

"My name is beside them and I am proud to be at the side of Sam Warburton's name, I am proud to be at the side of Alun Wyn Jones' name.

"I have been involved with a lot of good teams in my life in rugby league and rugby union and all I can say is that I am proud to have my name beside Sam Warburton's.

"They are everything that is good about the game of rugby. They are together, there are no cliques.

"It is why you want your son to go and play rugby, so your son behaves how these guys behave."

Wales will face Australia in Friday's bronze medal match - a rematch of the third-place play-off in the inaugural 1987 World Cup.

The Welsh won that encounter 22-21 and Edwards insisted motivation would not be a problem this week.

"These lads are young and they just want to play rugby. Every time they step on a rugby pitch, they're just excited to play," said Edwards.

"That's what has drawn people to them, it's what has drawn the people of New Zealand to them, of world rugby to them.

"They see a group of young lads who are fit, they've trained hard, they are dedicated, massively motivated, who just want to play rugby, to entertain the fans."

Edwards said he would be "very surprised" if prop Adam Jones plays after suffering a suspected torn calf just nine minutes into the semi-final.

Warburton's dismissal followed nine minutes later but Wales could still have won the game but poor goalkicking ultimately cost them.

James Hook missed two penalties and Stephen Jones failed with the conversion following Mike Phillips' try while Leigh Halfpenny's strike from 50 metres dipped inches under the crossbar.

"I still think we could have won the game, which is such a testimony to the ability, the attitude and the strength of this team," Edwards said.

"It is a shame for the rugby world that the team are not playing in the premier, blue riband event of world rugby.

"That is not just my opinion but it seems to be everyone's opinion."