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'The officials may have got that one wrong' - Pivac unhappy over big decisions which cost Wales
Wayne Pivac felt the big refereeing decisions went against Wales as France claimed a first Six Nations win in Cardiff for 10 years to stay on course for Grand Slam glory.
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France claimed a 27-23 victory at the Principality Stadium to make it three wins from three as reigning European champions Wales lost at home in the tournament for the first time since 2017.
But the game was not without controversy as France – leading 27-16 with 15 minutes to go – escaped sanction when second-row forward Paul Willemse knocked the ball down with wing Josh Adams set to take Ken Owens’ pass.
Adams seemed likely to score in the corner, but English referee Matthew Carley decided a penalty was punishment enough and chose not to brandish a yellow card.
“There was quite a few key moments in that game,” Wales head coach Pivac said.
“It just seemed, whenever we were playing advantage, the next ruck was killed or the ball was slowed down so we came back for the penalty.
“There was the (Willemse) slap down. We had a good look at that and I think the officials may have got that one wrong. That killed momentum there as well.
“Another disappointing one was when the French tighthead (Demba Bamba) came on. He went straight across the scrum and was rewarded for that. Those were the big moments in the game.”
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France led 17-9 at the break, with full-back Anthony Bouthier and Willemse scoring tries for Les Bleus and Dan Biggar replying with three penalties.
Dillon Lewis’ first Test try reduced the deficit to a point, but Romain Ntamack – who finished with a 17-point haul – claimed an interception score and kicked a penalty to put France in command.
Biggar scored a late try, but France held on for a famous win.
“We are certainly not going to panic,” Pivac said after successive defeats to Ireland and France, and with a daunting trip to England next on the agenda.
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“It’s about building, we created a lot of opportunities and I think we are heading in the right direction. It’s about taking those opportunities.
“If we convert one or two more we are truly in games and winning. You come back to the intercept, three v one. If we are accurate with our passing we probably score at the other end.
“That was a big momentum shift. We’re frustrated with a couple of decisions we made ourselves after creating opportunities on one or two occasions.”
Wales lost both wings, George North and Adams, to injury. North went off in the 11th minute and did not return after failing a head injury assessment.
Adams picked up an ankle injury and will be assessed next week ahead of the trip to Twickenham on March 7.
France head to Scotland next before concluding their championship at home to Ireland.
Les Bleus have not won the Six Nations since 2010 – when they last did the Grand Slam – and team manager Raphael Ibanez admitted the Cardiff victory was sweet for defence coach Shaun Edwards.
The Englishman spent 12 years as Wales defence coach under Warren Gatland before joining the France set-up in November.
“Shaun gave so much for Wales for years and we are pleased to have him,” Ibanez said.
“You could feel after the game he was pleased. It was an awesome performance from our defence through the game.”
On whether Wales could have had a penalty try when Willmese knocked on, Ibanez added: “You need to watch the game and review it to think about that.
“We don’t talk about the championship, just the next game.”
Wayne Pivac’s press conference for Wales vs France:
Comments on RugbyPass
I’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
4 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
7 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
13 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
13 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
4 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to comments