It was heartbreaking for Paolo Garbisi and Italy as the fly-half missed what would have been a historic victory over France's Les Bleus in the Six Nations.
The fly-half scored the memorable winning conversion as Italy beat Wales in Cardiff, ending a seven-year, 36-game winless streak, hitting the post with a last-gasp penalty. .
Hit the post!
Garbisi scored the game-winning kick and the Azzurri were on the verge of winning their first championship in France, but the ball wobbled off the tee before they could begin their approach.
As the shot clock expired, Garbisi had to reposition the ball on the tee and had less than eight seconds before returning to his run-up and delivering the game-clinching kick.
He managed to take a kick before the time-out, but unfortunately the shot hit the right wing and France substitute Yoram Moefana pounced on the ball. He tried to mount a counter-attack but crossed the touchline and was tackled, ending the game.
😱 An agonizing ending to an eventful match #Guinness M6N collision! #Flavita pic.twitter.com/R6MlXpafCt
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) February 25, 2024
Italian player ratings: Michele Ramaro takes the lead after draw with France
Mr. Garbisi accepts full responsibility.
“I was just thinking about trusting my process and it's part of my job to kick off, so I take full responsibility for that,” he said in the final moments after the game. Asked about it, the flyhalf said:
“I'm sorry for the team because I thought the team was great today, but I'm also sorry for all the Italian supporters. That's my fault. Then I'll work on it.”
Garbisi spoke glowingly of his teammates and felt his team performed well on a night that almost produced another historic victory.
He admitted that Jonathan Danti's red card certainly helped the Azzurri, but felt his team had better control of their position and possession in the second half and were able to get back into the game.
“I think overall we performed well, because if you go 13-13 against France, you played pretty well, to be honest,” he said.
“Obviously, the extra players helped us in the second half, but I think we spent too much time on that half of the pitch in the first half. But it all came down to the last kick.”
Italy face Scotland and Wales in their final two games in the Championship, aiming to avoid a ninth successive wooden spoon finish in the Six Nations and a 14th consecutive winless season.
read more: France vs. Italy: Jonathan Danti sacrifices Les Bleus, scores 5, Azzurri's heroics fall short of historic victory
