Long in control against Grenoble, Nissa Rugby ultimately let slip a victory that was within reach. After trailing Menés 20-6 at halftime and 33-23 with eleven minutes remaining, the Isère side turned the tables on the Nice players in the final seconds (33-37). Despite scoring four tries and delivering a convincing performance for over an hour, the Maralpins had to settle for the defensive bonus.
After the defeat conceded last week at Brive, the Nice side quickly turned the page to display their ambitions against Grenoble. Driven by a conquering pack and particularly effective mauls, the Nissa Rugby men held their own against the Grenoble side for a long time.
From the 8th minute, the azure-colored forwards made the difference after a long sequence of direct play. Well served by Guillaume Rouet, Enzo Labadie concluded the first major Nice offensive spell. Flavio Asquini converted in the corner and launched the locals perfectly 7-0. In the wake of his flanker, Nissa Rugby also put pressure on the Grenoble lineout, notably with a ball stolen by Labadie.
Grenoble tried to get back into the match thanks to the boot of Sam Davies. Two close penalties allowed the Isère side to get back to just one point 7-6, but the Nice players quickly regained control. After several Grenoble infringements in their goal area, the FCG even received two yellow cards in quick succession, leaving the visitors with 13 men.
Gareth Baber’s men did not let the opportunity pass. On another maul, Adrian Motoc was served by Rouet and scored the second Nice try in the 33rd minute. Flavio Asquini converted and Nissa Rugby pulled away. Another penalty from the azure kicker in the 38th minute extended the lead to 20-6. At halftime, the Nice side had perfectly exploited their dominance up front, while Grenoble struggled to exist in the conquest and discipline sectors.
Grenoble comes back, Nissa Rugby wavers
The change of ends was however to alter the balance of power. Now helped by the wind, Grenoble attacked again and Davies immediately reduced the gap 20-9. But Nissa Rugby found the opening again. In the 47th minute, Julien Farnoux, a former Grenoble player, took advantage of a well-constructed attack to score the third Nice try. Despite a missed conversion by Flavio Asquini, the locals led 25-9.
The FCG refused to give up. Coming on just minutes earlier, Lilian Rossi relaunched his side powerfully and scored a first try in the 49th minute. Nissa Rugby responded almost immediately. Once again carried by its pack and its mauls, Clément Martinez crossed the line in the 56th minute to give the Azure side some breathing room 30-16.
It was at this moment that the match gradually turned. Rossi scored a double two minutes later and Davies converted, bringing Grenoble to just seven points behind the locals. Despite several opportunities to extend the gap again, notably on a penalty in the lineout, Nissa Rugby could no longer capitalize on its territorial dominance.
In the 69th minute, another penalty by Jean-Pascal Barraque allowed the Nice side to regain a ten-point lead 33-23. There were then only about ten minutes of play remaining. But Grenoble was about to experience a completely crazy final period.
The crushing blow in the final seconds
In the 72nd minute, Romain Fusier scored the fourth Grenoble try after a superb Abescat move. Davies converted and the FCG came back to just three points 33-30.
From then on, Nissa Rugby tried to manage its lead, but the Isère side pushed to the end. The Azure side got another penalty in the lineout in the 79th minute, without managing to permanently push away the danger.
In added time, the visitors got a penalty 40 meters out and chose to play a penalty in the lineout. The Grenoble maul made slow progress, but the visitors persisted with their forwards. At 80+3, after several charges, Lilian Rossi appeared once again powerfully to score his third try of the evening. Davies converted immediately.
Trailing 33-23 in the 69th minute, Grenoble ultimately won 33-37. A spectacular comeback that leaves the Nice side with big regrets. With four tries scored and a long clear dominance, Nissa Rugby had all the cards in hand. The Azure side ultimately had to settle for the defensive bonus, at the end of a match that slipped away from them in the final seconds.
A reaction is expected next week on the Dax field to avoid falling behind in the standings.
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