Michalak critical of Laporte's gameplan

France outhalf Frederic Michalak expressed frustration toady over coach Bernard Laporte's tactics in their World Cup semi-final defeat by England where the hosts looked a shadow of their flamboyant selves.

"We were given instructions and we had to follow them," said Michalak, who came on as a substitute in Saturday's 14-9 loss to the holders that ended France's dream of a triumph on home soil.

Instead of picking Michalak, a symbol of French flair, Laporte chose Lionel Beauxis to start the match at number 10 because he is a powerful kicker.

Laporte, who will step down after the World Cup to become a junior minister for sport, faced criticism after France stuck to a poor kicking game and failed to spark the moves they would have needed to destabilise England.

Laporte opted for the same game plan that had worked in the quarter-final win over New Zealand but France fell short.

A penalty and a drop goal by Jonny Wilkinson in the last five minutes consigned the French to Friday's third-place playoff against Argentina and they will have to watch England and South Africa battle it out for the title the next day.

"There was no evolution in our game and we were predictable in some areas," Michalak told reporters. "It could have worked, it came down to very little."

The 25-year-old, who will win his 50th cap on Friday, said it had been a pleasure to work under Laporte.

However, he added: "He's not my friend. He's my coach. I found it sometimes difficult to understand his instructions. I didn't agree with all of them."

Michalak, who is leaving Toulouse to join the Natal Sharks and has said he would probably miss next year's Six Nations because of that, said he hoped France would bounce back.

"Beating the All Blacks was special but we wanted more than that," he said. "We wanted to go all the way. It hurts but now our goal is to go further in four years (at the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand)."

Before that, France will have the chance on Friday to get revenge on Argentina, who beat them in the opening game of the tournament.

"They're a great team, we know that, but we want to finish on a high note," Michalak said. "What we have to do is show more ambitious rugby and try to enjoy ourselves, which we failed to do against England."