Six Nations: New Zealand coach Wayne Pivac denied first title in dramatic loss to France

New Zealand coach Wayne Pivac has been denied his first Six Nations rugby title after Wales lost 32-30 to a 14-man French team in Paris.

Pivac was just seconds away from celebrating a Grand Slam win, but Wales, with 13 men after two late yellow cards, granted man of the match, fullback Brice Dulin, one last gasp, now giving France a chance. for the title.

The final attempt in a game that featured one red card and three sinbinnings secured France a much-needed bonus point, meaning Fabien Galthie’s team can win the Six Nations title for the first time in 10 years if they win. a bonus points win and they increase their point difference over Scotland next weekend.

Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones later admitted that the title result “is now out of our hands”.

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France’s hopes were shaken after a 68th minute red card to South Africa-born Paul Willemse, at a time when prop Mohammed Haouas was already in the trash can.

The two title contenders were locked at 17-17 at halftime after two attempts apiece in the first period.

France’s blocking Romain Taofifénua was the first to bleed when he crashed in the seventh minute, but midfielder Dan Biggar answered for Wales six minutes later.

The French showed their style on the baseline with defender Brice Dulin on the Welsh defensive line for Mathieu Jalibert to rally around and send his teammate, running back Antoine Dupont, running to try in the 15th minute.

Once again, Wales struck back after a powerful carry from Biggar, setting up the forwards for a series of phases that led to wing Josh Navidi to score.

Penalties exchanged by Biggar and Jalibert’s replacement, Romain Ntamack, kept the score level in the interval.

Wales, who had exposed France’s defense in the first half, started the second half as the strongest team, with Biggar leading them with an early penalty.

Wales built a 10-point lead after wing Josh Adams scored a try in the 49th minute after diving for the line with two Frenchmen fighting to hold him.

Referee Luke Pearce awarded the try and TMO Wayne Barnes confirmed that there was no clear evidence that Adams had not supported the ball, so Pearce upheld his initial decision.

Ntamack scored a penalty for an armless tackle from Wales, and Biggar made a possible intervention to save the try by forcing France wing Teddy Thomas to touch.

Biggar landed another penalty after French prop Mohamed Haouas was given a yellow card for knocking down a maul on a play that nearly led Wales winger Louis Rees-Zammit to score in the corner.

With Haouas on the sinbin, Dulin ran for a possible try, but match officials went back to an earlier ruck and found that France’s block Paul Willemse had made a neck roll and made eye contact with a Welsh opponent.

Willemse was expelled, leaving France with 13 men until Haouas returned.

British and Irish Lions number 8 of Wales, Taulupe Faletau, was sent off in the 71st minute after being caught offside for Wales in a team warning.

Pivac’s team was reduced to 13 men for the final after fullback Liam Williams also received a yellow card.

That led to two late attempts for France captain Charles Ollivon and fullback Dulin.

TAKE A LOOK

France 32 (Brice Dulin, Romain Taofifénua, Antoine Dupont, Charles Ollivon tries; Mathieu Jalibert 2 with; Romain Ntamack 2 pen, with) Wales 30 (Dan Biggar, Josh Navidi, Josh Adams try; Biggar 3 with, 3 pen). HT: 17-17. At the Stade de France, Paris.