For his pen error in the France draw, Italy’s Garbisi apologizes
Garbisi was devastated and contrite after missing the opportunity to give Italy their greatest victory ever and their first Six Nations victory away to France.
The left-footer’s goal kick was placed slightly to the left and at a distance of just over thirty meters.
With 14 seconds remaining, the ball wobbled off the tee as the shot clock went on. With four seconds remaining, Garbisi eventually kicked it and placed it back in place, but it smacked off the right upright.
He said on French television, “I didn’t do it well enough in this moment, I should have been up to the task of doing this job.”
“I performed my duties improperly. I want to apologize to my country and my comrades for this.
Although Italy has defeated France twice in the Six Nations in Rome, their lone victory in France came earlier, at Grenoble in 1997. When they faced each other last, in October, during the Rugby World Cup in Lyon, France defeated them 60–7.
Garbisi stated, “Winning is better, but it’s still a good result.” “It will stay in my mind for a while.”
Italy ought to have been routed by France by halftime. Despite dominating the first half, they were only able to convert one try out of four or more opportunities as Italy played excellent defense, recording 112 tackles in the half—more than twice as many as the hosts.
However, with the upgrade of center Jonathan Danty’s yellow card to a red one during halftime, France began the second half just 10-3 ahead and short by one man. At the close of the first half, he made a risky head-on-head tackle on Juan Ignacio Brex, the opposing center.
The second half proved to be a blank for the French, and the longer France went without a goal, the more confident Italy became. Only a second Ramos penalty was added by the home team.
Just months after dominating the World Cup, France’s failure to contend for the championship will put further pressure on the team and coach Fabien Galthie.
France is currently ranked fourth, with games against Wales away and England at home remaining.
With 20 minutes remaining, Garbisi’s second penalty kick of the match, following Marchand’s infraction, gave Italy a seven-point deficit again.
Tommaso Menoncello, the right winger, broke through the center, and they were in the France 22 in five phases.
No. 10 Replacement Capuozzo made a fantastic offload to Leonardo Marin, who touched down in the left corner. With ten minutes remaining, Garbisi converted from the touchline to tie the game, but he subsequently missed the biggest kick of his career.