Trailing by two, clock had gone red and Italy needed somebody to step forward.
They had hit a wall on the French 22 and all that was required was for the out-half to drop into the pocket and deny France their third consecutive Six Nations victory over Italy.
But Sergio Parisse got a rush of blood to the head.
The ball arrived to his hands and rather than drop his head and keep the phases going, the number 8 let fly.
"Parisse! No way! Can he do it? The captain… No."#6Nations #FRAITA pic.twitter.com/lfbpp9EV0t
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) February 6, 2016
Some criticised Parisse for blowing the chance.
Parisse is a total idiot, thinks he's bigger than the team. Good player, but a good 8 not a 10! Should have won, stupid decision
— alex (@sheridan_8) February 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/The_RossHudson/status/696004434715873280
https://twitter.com/RossAWardle/status/696005164126375938
What was Parisse thinking😂🏉
— Matt (@Matt1West) February 6, 2016
That awkward moment parisse thinks he's Dan Carter #FRAITA
— Lewis Williams (@LewisWillams13) February 6, 2016
Glory hunting by Parisse. Plain and simple
— Michael McCarthy (@McCarthyMick) February 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/LawrenceThomas_/status/696005745779855361
Still can't quite get over that ending why oh why did Sergio Parisse go for goal 🙈 #6Nations #FrancevsItaly 🏉
— ceridenning (@CezzaDenning) February 6, 2016
But, as is always the case, many applauded the Italian for taking the initiative when nobody else seemed to want to.
Surely a kicker has got to back themselves there! Parisse's back must be shot from carrying the team #FRAITA
— Kevin McLaughlin (@KMcLaughlin6) February 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/Bull_Allen1/status/696005187631239168
People having a go at Parisse for trying that drop goal, but wasn't it a case of others dodging the responsibility of taking it on?
— Simon Thomas Rugby (@simonrug) February 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/StevGra/status/696006299608285184
Fair play to parisse stepping up, Clearly no one else had the balls to take the shot, it wasn't his job and a back shouldve stepped up
— Fraser James Muir (@Frazz_Muir) February 6, 2016
Fair play to Parisse for trying, that would have been Zinzanesque. #fravita #6nations
— Phil O' Meara (@Phil_O_File) February 6, 2016
Italy so unlucky! Parisse was unbelievable in that game, fair play to him for standing up to take that last drop kick. Enjoyed that #FRAITA
— Brendan (@bmkb91) February 6, 2016
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